On This Date in Minnesota History: January 26

January 26, 1910 – Peter Van Dyke, a blind man who was a common figure on Superior Street in Duluth, selling pencils and shoe laces, pleaded his own case in police court this morning when arraigned on a charge of using profane language.

After stating that he was guilty, declared that he has always tried to be gentleman, and that had he known that ladies were passing, he would not have forgotten himself. He said that someone stole one of his pencils, and that it was not the first time it has happened, he lost his temper.

Van Dyke is on the streets from morning until night. He makes his way along Superior Street from the city hall at Second Avenue east to the incline at Seventh Avenue west with the aid of a single crutch. He is about 65 years old, and makes his own living; he never meets with an accident although he crosses the streets when they are filled with traffic. The court gave him a suspended sentence.


Duluth Evening Herald; “Blind Man Pleads Case. Admits Swearing When Pencil Was Stolen and Gets Suspended Sentence.”; Jan. 26, 1910; p. 2.

Duluth’s 1889 City Hall. (Image: Duluth Public Library)
The current Duluth City Hall was built in 1928.

http://zenithcity.com/zenith-city-history-archives/duluth-architecture/duluth-city-hall-1889/

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