On this Date in Minnesota History: August 2

August 2, 1963 – “A 27-year-old St. Paul Negro who served with the Peace Corps [in Ghana] was arrested [in Gonzales, La., where he was visiting relatives] after he refused to leave a segregated café. William D. Ware was charged with disturbing the peace after the café owner complained to police that Ware refused to leave. 

‘This man was sitting down inside the restaurant and wouldn’t leave when he was asked to do so, so we arrested him,’ said the Gonzales police chief.

Ware, according to his landlord, is a former mathematics teacher at Hill High School, Maplewood, and was planning to attend classes at St. John’s University, Collegeville, Minn., where he received his undergraduate degree.”

Ware was scheduled to appear before Municipal Court Judge Dudley Buyas on August 31. Buyas is also mayor of Gonzales.

Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “St. Paul Negro Arrested in Louisiana Café”; August 3, 1963; p. 26.

On this Date in Minnesota History: August 1

August 1, 1918 – Beginning today, all cases of venereal disease must be reported by physicians to the Minnesota State Board of Health according to Dr. H. G. Irvine, director of the division of venereal disease.

Druggists are also prohibited from selling medicines for the treatment of such diseases except on prescriptions of licensed physicians.

Enforcement of these rules, Dr. Irvine said, will be an important part of the division’s campaign against vice diseases.

Bemidji Daily Pioneer; “Must Report Venereal Cases to State Board”; Aug. 1, 1918; p. 1.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/visualculture/venereal.html

On this Date in Minnesota history: July 31

July 31, 2008 – A mid-sized corporate jet crashed while preparing to land at Degner Regional Airport in Owatonna, Minn., killing eight people including several casino and construction executives.

http://timelines.ws/states/MINNESOTA.HTML

Owatonna’s People Press; “8 killed in plane crash”; August 1, 2008; p. A1.

http://ci.owatonna.mn.us/airport/airport-businesses

On this Date in Minnesota history: July 30

July 30, 1905 – Hartvig Carlson, apparently demented, ran amuck in Minneapolis’ milling district today and nearly killed John Jasperson, watchman at the Palisade Mill. Jasperson was making his rounds when Carlson, who had been hiding behind a pile of sacks, pounced upon him with a heavy iron bar.

The watchman warded off the first blow, but the second felled him, and he began to call for help. Mill hands then ran to his rescue, and then began a furious fight between Carlson and half a dozen workmen.

When overpowered and taken to Central Station, Carlson would only say that he was the king of Denmark and was on the warpath. He will be examined in the probate court.

Minneapolis Journal; “Thought He Was King. Apparently Insane Man Tried to Kill Mill Watchman.”; July 31, 1905

Palisade Mill, Minneapolis, Minn.

http://www.hclib.org/pub/search/MplsPhotos/mphotosAction.cfm?subject=Palisade%20Flour%20Mill

On this Date in Minnesota history: July 29

July 29, 2009 – The official start of the Hells Angels 2009 USA Run began on this date in Carlton, Minn. The Lost Isle on Highway 210 was temporary headquarters for the 2009 national gathering. Approximately 500 members of the club were expected to attend.

“Minnesota State Patrol Sgt. Mike Baker confirmed that Hells Angels founding member Sonny Barger [was] participating.”<sup>1

1</sup>Duluth News Tribune; Hanging Around the Hells Angels, we saw this”; July 31, 2009; p. A3.

Duluth News Tribune; “Hells Angels Carlton fortress tough to crack”; July 29, 2009; p. A1 & A3.

http://www.wach.com/news/story.aspx?id=843880

On this Date in Minnesota history: July 28

July 28, 1946 - Linda Kelsey, actress best known for her role as reporter Billie Newman on the TV series "Lou Grant," was born in Minneapolis, Minn., on this date.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linda_Kelsey

Linda Kelsey
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0447057/

On this Date in Minnesota history: July 27

July 27, 1858 – “The land area of Polk County was established when Governor H. H. Sibley signed the bill creating the county on [this date]. The land area for the county was set off from the territorial county of Pembina, which included parts of northwestern Minnesota and northeastern North Dakota. The law set up the southern boundary of Pembina as the northern boundary of Polk County. When the present counties north of Polk were established, the name Pembina was erased from the county map of Minnesota.”¹

The county was named in honor of James Knox Polk, the 11th president of the United States. Polk was the president that approved the act of Congress that organized Minnesota Territory.<sup>2

1</sup>http://www.co.polk.mn.us/index.asp?SEC=35F5E9E4-2454-4EC9-BBB1-320943022099&DE=CA2705B2-B978-4732-917F-03F03A4DABE5&Type=B_BASIC

²Upham, Warren; Minnesota Geographic Names, Their Origin and Historic Significance; Minnesota Historical Society (St. Paul, Minn., 1969); p. 421.

http://www.mnwebsteps.com/hegland/local/polk%20county.htm