Saturday, July 4, 2015

On this Date in Minnesota history: July 4

July 4, 1897 - Seventy-three-year old widow Bridget Finnerty continues to refuse to allow St. Paul authorities to take away the body of her deceased daughter, Mrs. Katherine O’Conner, who died early Friday morning (July 2) of tuberculosis.

The intense heat over the last couple of days has caused rapid decomposition of the body, and a sickening odor now pervades Mrs. Finnerty’s home, as well as her neighborhood. No ice surrounds the still form in the plain pine box; no grave clothes shroud the lifeless body.

Notwithstanding the horrible condition of the body, and the complaints of her neighbors, Mrs. Finnerty refuses to have the body buried because she claims her daughter could not be given a Christian burial.

“I will put my child on a wheelbarrow and cart her through the streets to the cemetery myself,” the aged mother declares vehemently, “before she shall be taken away in that heartless manner.”

Mrs. Finnery was referring to the burial of her daughter by the county. O’Connor had been ill for nearly a year. The mother and daughter and the latter’s 13-year-old son lived in the dilapidated two-room cottage for several years. Mrs. Finnerty had no funds, and the county was called-upon to bury her daughter. Undertakers McCarthy & Donnally received an order for the body and went to the house yesterday afternoon to take it to the cemetery.

When the body was placed in the pine coffin, Mrs. Finnerty refused to allow it to be taken from the house. She desired the company of her dead daughter another day, and further insisted that some arrangements be made by which she could accompany the remains to the cemetery. After some argument, the undertaker left the house without the body, and it remained by an open window during the night. With no attention paid to the preservation of the corpse, decomposition soon set in, and the house became so offensive that no one but Mrs. Finnerty could go near the corpse. The neighbors complained to the police department, and Dr. Stone was notified of the condition of affairs, but up to tonight, the body has not been taken away.

Mrs. Finnerty declares the body of her daughter will not leave her house unless she can accompany it to the grave. She says she asked the undertaker to procure a carriage for this purpose, and that the request was refused. Mrs. E. E. Waldron, who lives next door to Mrs. Finnerty, says she tried to get assistance without success. The health department will probably take some action in the matter tomorrow.


The Saint Paul Globe; “Holds the Remains. Mrs. Bridget Finnerty Refuses to Allow the Burial of her Daughter. Died Early Friday Morning. The County Steps in to Look After the Interment for Her, But she Declines to Permit It Until Some Provision Has Been Made for Her to Attend the Funeral.”; July 05, 1897; p. 2.


Plain Pine Box Casket
http://www.naturescasket.com/Images/Unassembled3.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 MHS records.  Both short searches and family history reports.

Website: 
TheMemoryQuilt.com ®  click on Family History

Contact me at:
pjefamilyresearch@gmail.com  




Friday, July 3, 2015

On this Date in Minnesota history: July 3

July 3, 1897 – A veritable tornado passed over the vicinity of White Bear, Minn., at 4:30 this morning, causing considerable damage.

Trees were uprooted and tents and cottages were damaged by the trees falling on them. During the entire night, the wind had been blowing with considerable force from the southwest, and about 4:30 increased in velocity veering rapidly to the west.

Several of the fine groves of trees around White Bear Lake were completely demolished, and many yachts were capsized or blown ashore.

Four windows were blown out of the upper story of the Ramaley Pavilion, and nearly all the boats blown off the side and badly damaged. The White Bear Beach Pavilion was blown off its foundations.

St. John’s Episcopal Church narrowly escaped being demolished. Two large trees in front and one in the rear of the building were blown down, one falling against the side of the building.

The bowling alley at Second Street was completely demolished, the roof being lifted off and the sides of the structure scattered about the grove.

The Saint Paul Globe; “Havoc at White Bear. Tornado-Like Conditions Prevailed Yesterday Morning.” July 04, 1897; p. 3



Ramaley Pavilion on White Bear Lake in 1907
http://www.lakesnwoods.com/images/WhiteB2.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 MHS records.  Both short searches and family history reports.

Website: 
TheMemoryQuilt.com ®  click on Family History

Contact me at:
pjefamilyresearch@gmail.com 

 



Thursday, July 2, 2015

On this Date in Minnesota history: July 2

July 2, 2004 – Presidential candidate John Kerry’s Celebrating the Spirit of America Bus Tour stopped in Cloquet, Minn., on this date during the town’s centennial celebration. The candidate “played to the local audience, praising Cloquet’s resilience in rebuilding after the 1918 fire and extolling decades of success by workers at the local paper mill.”

His research staff did their homework, as Kerry even mentioned a “famed Cloquet drive-in restaurant [that] his bus drove past on the way in to town: ‘I could smell the burgers and I could smell the onion rings from Gordy’s Hi-Hat,’” he told the crowd.

It is believed that one of the reasons Kerry stopped in Cloquet was that “three Carlton County soldiers had died in recent months while serving in Iraq.”  He met privately with the families of the three servicemen after his 41-minute speech.  

Duluth News Tribune; “Kerry’s Cloquet visit garnered plenty of support from attendees”; July 3, 2004; pp. 1A & 6A.



John Kerry and bus in Cloquet, Minn.
http://www.4president.org/photos/JohnKerryCloquet.htm

               __________________________________________________________

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 MHS records.  Both short searches and family history reports.

Website: 
TheMemoryQuilt.com ®  click on Family History

Contact me at:
pjefamilyresearch@gmail.com 

 


Wednesday, July 1, 2015

On this Date in Minnesota history: July 1

July 1, 1971 – Actress Melissa Peterman, best known for her role as Barbara Jean on the TV series Reba, was born in Minneapolis on this date. She was also Hooker #2 in the Coen brothers’ movie Fargo.

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



Actress Melissa Peterman
http://hdwallpapers4free.com/celebrity-actress/melissa-peterman-beautiful-actress-blonde-Barbra-Jean-desktop-wallpaper-19341/


               __________________________________________________________

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 MHS records.  Both short searches and family history reports.

Website: 
TheMemoryQuilt.com ®  click on Family History

Contact me at:
pjefamilyresearch@gmail.com 

 


Tuesday, June 30, 2015

On this date in Minnesota History: June 30

June 30, 2009 – “Minnesota’s state Supreme Court ruled unanimously that Democrat Al Franken should be certified the [Senate seat] winner. Republican Norm Coleman pulled the plug on a bitter election that was decided by 312 votes out of almost 2.9 million cast. Franken's victory gave Democrats 60 Senate seats, the critical number needed to overcome Republican filibusters.”

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




Minn. Sen. Al Franken
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Al_Franken_Official_Senate_Portrait.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 MHS records.  Both short searches and family history reports.

Website: 
TheMemoryQuilt.com ®  click on Family History

Contact me at:
pjefamilyresearch@gmail.com 


 

Monday, June 29, 2015

On This Date in Minnesota History: June 29

June 29, 1918 – Ole Sohlberg, farmer, living near Mission Creek, Pine County, was the first man in the state to be convicted under the State Public Safety commissioner’s order making idleness a crime during the war, according to advices received at the commission offices.

Sohlberg was fined $100 and released after promising to go to work at once on his 120-acre farm, which had not been cultivated for two years.

The Bemidji Daily Pioneer; “First Conviction Under Idleness Crime Order”; June 29, 1918; p. 1.




Pine County, Minn.

http://www.weichert.com/images/counties/MN-Pine.gif



               __________________________________________________________

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 MHS records.  Both short searches and family history reports.

Website: 
TheMemoryQuilt.com ®  click on Family History

Contact me at:
pjefamilyresearch@gmail.com  
 

Sunday, June 28, 2015

On this date in Minnesota History: June 28

June 28, 1915 – Mary McKinney, matron to the female prisoners at Stillwater State Prison for 22 years, died on this date in her quarters at the prison after suffering a stroke a few days earlier.

Her funeral took place at the prison where the shops and offices closed so everyone could come and pay final respects. The Stillwater Messenger stated that she “had devoted the greatest portion of her life to work in the prison, being faithful, charitable and gentle in her dealings with those who came under her charge.”

http://stillwatergazette.com/2013/09/06/matrons-female-convicts-part-stillwater-prisons-early-history/






Photos taken by Pamela J. Erickson. Released into the public domain June 28, 2015, 
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 MHS records.  Both short searches and family history reports.

Website: 
TheMemoryQuilt.com ®  click on Family History

Contact me at:
pjefamilyresearch@gmail.com