Saturday, December 5, 2015

On This Date in Minnesota History: December 5

December 5, 1921 – A nationwide strike between meatpacker union members and their employers over a plan to reduce wages began today at 6:00 a.m.

Striking South St. Paul packing plant employees attacked a train-load of strikebreakers at 10 a.m. today, breaking windows in the train and preventing packing plant officers from unloading them.

The pickets clashed with packing plant employees, who tried to go to work early this morning. Fist fighting marked the opening. Packer employees’ union officers denied responsibility for the clash. Union men claimed a 100 percent strike of their 3,700 employees.

Only about 20 percent of the working force of Swift & Co. plant got through the picketing crowds and most of the Armour & Co. plant workers were barred admittance.



Swift's & McCormack's Packing Plant, South Saint Paul Minn., 1911* 

The Bemidji Daily Pioneer; December 05, 1921; p. 1.

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Fighting on Picket Line Marks Strike in South St. Paul. State to Send Militia Only if Sheriff’s Force is Overwhelmed.”; Dec. 6, 1921; pp. 1 & 11.

South St. Paul Daily Reporter; “More Men Out Here Than at Other Points. Packing Strike Starts with Only a Handful Out at Chicago. Blockade Streets Here. Many Plant Workers Unable to Get Through Picket Lines Return to Homes—Police to Keep Way Clear Early in Day”; Dec. 5, 1921; p. 1.

The Sydney Herald; “Meatpackers Strike. Serious Disturbances.”; Sidney, Australia; Dec. 9, 1921;
p. 9.

*http://www.lakesnwoods.com/images/SouthS39.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:
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Friday, December 4, 2015

On This Date in Minnesota History: December 4

December 4, 1945 – The United States Senate passed the United Nations Participation Act, committing the United States to full, active participation in the United Nations on this date.

“The lopsided 65-7 vote followed seven days of debate. Six Republicans — Senators William Langer of North Dakota, Edward Moore of Oklahoma, Chapman Revercomb of West Virginia, Henrik Shipstead of Minnesota, Robert Taft of Ohio, and Kenneth Wherry of Nebraska — voted against the bill. Senator Burton Wheeler of Montana was the only Democrat opposed. Langer and Shipstead cast the only votes against ratification of the UN charter when that passed the Senate by a vote of 89 to 2 the previous July.”

http://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/history/item/17089-december-4-1945-the-day-the-senate-surrendered-our-sovereignty



Henrik Shipsteadhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henrik_Shipstead

               __________________________________________________________

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, December 3, 2015

On This Date in Minnesota History: December 3

December 3, 1920 – One of the most daring and evidently one of the best planned robberies that ever took place in Clearwater County happened this evening when robbers entered the Shevlin Mercantile Company’s store and stole a large amount of valuable merchandise.

The robbers made entry through the basement window by breaking one of the panes of glass and then unhooked the window from the inside, allowing them access upstairs where they unlocked the back door, backed their car up and carried off the best merchandise in the store.

The entire stock of silks was taken, including a new shipment from the Corticelli silk mills just received the day before. About 20 wool mackinaws and sheep-lined coats were taken from the clothes rack. About 10 wool sweaters were taken and four or five men’s suits. The cash drawer of the office was broken into and about $11 in cash taken. A number of keys were found in front of the safe, which the robbers had tried, but which failed to open.

The thieves, from all appearances were experts, making no noise.

Sheriff Bargess of Bagley arrived and took inventory of what was stolen, but no arrests have been reported.


The Bemidji Daily Pioneer; “Robbers Make Large Haul at Shevlin Store”; December 04, 1920; p. 1.




View of Shevlin Minn., 1915
http://www.lakesnwoods.com/Shevlin.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:
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Wednesday, December 2, 2015

On This Date in Minnesota History: December 2

December 2, 1915 – A jury in the Winona area district court decided this evening that Father Louis M. Lesches was insane when he shot and seriously wounded Bishop Patrick R. Heffron, acquitting the priest of the charge of assault with the intent to kill for which he had been on trial for two days.


Bishop Patrick R. Heffron1

The verdict, reached after 45 minutes’ deliberation, meant that Father Lesches would be committed to the asylum for the criminally insane in St. Peter, Minn. The principal testimony during the trial was that of several psychiatrists, who testified that the defendant was “insane and [had] homicidal tendencies.”



Father Louis M. Lesches1

Bishop Heffon was shot twice while celebrating mass alone in his private chapel at St. Mary’s College the morning of Aug. 27. It was brought out at the time that Lesches had been refused a parish by the bishop, who at the trial testified he believed Lesches was “mentally unbalanced” at the time of the shooting.



St. Mary's College 
“ Where the shooting of Bishop Heffron took place. Cross in center room on second floor shows location of the private chapel where the shooting took place. Cross on third window from the right on first floor shows the room where Father Lesches locked himself in after shooting the Bishop and where he was arrested.” (Information from the Winona Daily Republican-Herald, Dec. 1, 1915.)1 


This factual shooting became the roots of the “ghost of Heffron Hall” story. In several versions of this urban legend, Bishop Heffron was murdered, which obviously isn’t true as Heffron testified at Lesches’ trial. In fact, he completely recovered from his wounds, eventually dying Nov. 23, 1927.

In 1920, Heffron Hall was built on St. Mary’s campus. Named in honor of the bishop, it still houses students today, and is the second oldest building on campus.

While Lesche was in St. Peter, an unusual death took place in a third floor room in Heffron Hall on May 15, 1931. A nun entered the room of Rev. Edward Lynch and found the reverend dead and sprawled across his bed. His body was burned beyond recognition, but the sheets and bed underneath him reportedly did not show any signs of scorch marks.2

Reverend Lynch's Bible was also claimed to have been scorched except for a single passage: "And the Lord shall come at the sound of the trumpets." It was said that this was a passage that Lesches had often shouted to Lynch in their heated arguments.2

Lesches died at the St. Peter’s hospital on Jan. 10, 1943. He was 84 years old and had spent 29 years incarcerated. Shortly after his death, Heffron Hall gained a reputation for being haunted by its namesake’s attempted assassin. The frightening ghost of Father Lesches was claimed to have been seen several times on the third floor of the building.2

In its Oct. 31, 19893 issue, USA Today called St. Mary’s Heffron Hall Dormitory "Minnesota's Most Legendary Haunted Place."


The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Bishop’s Assailant Is Adjudged Insane; Will Go to Asylum. Jury Trying Father Lesches Returns Verdict After 45 Minutes’ Deliberation. Principal Testimony Given by Alienists. Trial Brings Out Fact Priest Was Denied Parish Prior to Shooting.”; Dec. 3, 1915; p.2.

1https://www.winonapost.com/Archives/ArticleID/2648/Part-2---Blood-on-the-Altar-The-Heart-of-the-Legend

2https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heffron_Hall_(St._Mary%27s_University)

3https://www.winonapost.com/Archives/ArticleID/6296/Part-6---School-Spirit-The-Campfire-Version

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

On This Date in Minnesota History: December 1

December 1, 2006 (2006-12-01)Sweet Land, a movie filmed in and around Montevideo, Minn., was released in the U.S. on this date.

The film received mostly good reviews, which focused on the simplicity of its story, the beauty of its cinematography and its strong sense of place. Entertainment Weekly and the Los Angeles Times named the film one of the 10 best of 2006. Awards received:
  • 2005 Hamptons International Film Festival: Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature
  • 2006 Florida Film Festival: Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature
  • 2007 Independent Spirit Awards: Best First Feature

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




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweet_Land
               __________________________________________________________


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, November 30, 2015

On This Date in Minnesota History: November 30

November 30, 1922 – Youthful bandits, so nervous they spilled silver coins all over the floor in their haste to gather up their loot, held up the Elgin Creamery Company at the supper hour this evening and escaped with the cash. The amount they got has not been definitely determined, but officials believe it to be about $3,000.

Two of the youths entered the creamery offices through a rear basement door while a partner guarded the rear door. Reaching the office, one of the bandits carried a gun and told R. E. Hanson, secretary-treasurer of the company, to back up to the wall. Hanson was alone in the office and was counting receipts from the last two days.

While one youth guarded Hanson, the other grabbed a bag and began dumping bills and coins into it. All money was raked off a desk and a cash drawer in the safe was emptied. Dozens of coins rolled onto the floor and the clink of falling money hastened the bandits’ work. They backed out of the rear door and disappeared with their lookout among the creamery’s wagons and trucks.

Hanson tried to chase the boys but was unable to do anything in the darkness. He then notified the sheriff’s office.  The creamery is located just outside the Minneapolis, Minn., city limits (would now be located in Edina).


The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “$3,000 Stolen in Bandit Raid. Youths Spill Silver Coins in Haste to Escape With Elgin Creamery Loot.”; Dec. 1, 1922; p. 1.




Examples of old creamery milk cans

http://dailyreporter.com/files/2009/10/creameries-0-102309.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   


Sunday, November 29, 2015

On This Date in Minnesota History: November 29

November 29, 1915 – As a result of the closing of saloons by the county option law, the East Grand Forks, Minn., jail is empty for the first time in a year. This is a slight improvement over former conditions, since as many as 120 have been under arrest at one time during the past year.

The Bemidji Daily Pioneer; “East Grand Forks Jail Empty; Lid Blamed”; Nov. 30, 1915; p. 1.



http://www.egf.mn/
               __________________________________________________________


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