On This Date in Minnesota History: April 14

April 14, 1893 - Robbinsdale, Minn., was incorporated as a village on this date. It was named after Andrew B. Robbins, who purchased lands there in 1887 and platted the village.

http://www.ci.crystal.mn.us/about_crystal/city_history.php

Upham, Warren; Minnesota Geographic Names, Their Origin and Historic Significance; Minnesota Historical Society (St. Paul, Minn., 1969); p. 226.

Photo taken by Pamela J. Erickson. Released into the public domain Dec. 12, 2016,
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 MNHS records. Both short searches and family history reports available.

                                                        

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

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On This Date in Minnesota History: April 13

April 13, 1921 – Authorities believe that the mystery of continued thefts of merchandise from box cars from the Omaha railroad has been solved with the arrest today in Pipestone, Minn., of Ole Shelrud, 31 years, and his mother, 70.

Shelrud and his mother were found in the railroad yards at midnight by a policeman detailed to watch for the car robbers. A search of their home disclosed a large amount of loot that according to police had been taken from the cars.

Shelrud, according to the authorities, confessed that he carried on a series of box car thefts covering a period of five years. Both Shelrud and his mother are in the Pipestone jail. No formal charges have yet been lodged against them. They are old residents.

Shelrud works for the railroad as a section hand.

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Mother and Son Are Held for Box Car Robberies”; April 14, 1921; p. 2.

http://gilbertlodge.com/2012/08-10-12-pipestone.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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On This Date in Minnesota History: April 12

April 12, 1912 – This evening, burglars set grass fires to the windward of New Duluth, a suburb of Duluth. When the flames swept toward the town, the police and citizens started out to fight them. Then the robbers broke into Frank Brand’s general store and stole $800 worth of clothing and jewelry. The fire was put out and the police are seeking the robbers.

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Burglars Set Fire Then Rob. Fire Prairie at New Duluth and Then Loot Store.”; April 13, 1912; p. 1.

http://attic.areavoices.com/files/2014/11/newduluth.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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On This Date in Minnesota History: April 11

April 11, 1910 – Serving a life sentence for murder, a convict in the Stillwater prison known as “Sinbad the Sailor,” gave up a chance to escape during the excitement of the fire near the prison today and worked heroically to save the prison from the flames.

That the prison was not destroyed is said to be due almost entirely to his efforts and those of another convict whose name was not given out. “Sinbad” was employed at the greenhouse when the first signs of the flames appeared.

Warden Henry Wolfer’s house was saved, only suffering a severe scorching of the paint, and that the entire north end of Stillwater is not in ruins is a miracle. The estimated total loss of $65,000 is only partially covered by insurance.

Stillwater Prison 1885¹

Of unknown origin, the fire started at 2 p.m. in the warehouse of the Northwest Thresher Company. The flames spread rapidly fanned by a strong east wind. At 5 p.m. the fire was out and that more damage was not accomplished was due to the efforts of the Stillwater fire department, in addition to hundreds of volunteers, men, women, and children, who worked diligently to save the city.

The Northwest Thresher Company 1908²

This view is across the street from the Territorial Prison on Main Street looking toward the Northwest.

Lines of hose were run over the hill. Volunteers fought behind barricades, the flames were so fierce.

Company K of the Minnesota National Guard, Captain Nolan commanding, patrolled the streets, giving the city the appearance of being under martial law. All the west side of Main Street from the Stillwater Manufacturing Company’s plant to the prison was in flames.

From Linden Street on the south as far west as the ravine, the flames swept. The employees  of the Street Railway Company helped push many street cars out of the fire zone.

A portion of the St. Paul fire department arrived by train within an hour after the first alarm was sounded, but it was thought unnecessary to remove the apparatus from the train.

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Convicts Fight Fire Threatening Prison. Flames Warded From State Penitentiary by Efforts of Two Inmates. Disastrous Visitation Results in Loss of $65,000 to Stillwater. Three City Squares Swept and Citizens Put Up Heroic Battle.”; April 12, 1910; p.1.

¹http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VTRrBx_L6ng/UX9fU_jhPtI/AAAAAAAAFao/oytJ2_pEu40/s1600/Stillwater+Prison+and+Warden%2527s+House+in+1885.jpg

²https://www.pivotstillwater.org/northwest-thresher-company/

               __________________________________________________________

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

On This Date in Minnesota History: April 10

*April 10, 1924 – The 1924 navigation season for the Duluth-Superior harbor was ushered in at 11 a.m. today when the steamer Hazel, owned by H. A. Christianson & Son, left for Pigeon River on the north shore of Lake Superior. This is the earliest opening date for navigation at the Head of the Lakes for many years, Duluth vessel men say.

The Hazel carried supplies for fishermen and road camps along the north shore. It is a 100-foot boat of 80 tons and was built in 1886. Captain Martin Christianson is in command.

The Duluth News Tribune; “Supply Boat Opens Navigation Season at Duluth Harbor”; April 11, 1924; p. 1.

Sunset over the ice of Lake Superior

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sunset_over_the_ice_of_Lake_Superior.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: pjefamilyresearch@gmail.com

On This Date in Minnesota History: April 9

April 9, 1912 – The first mining operations in the Minnesota iron district for this season were begun today when the Shenango pit at Chisholm and the Whiteside mine at Hibbing, started to take out ore. Shipments to the docks at Duluth will begin in a few days. Stripping operations at the Buffalo property at Hibbing also resumed today.

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Hibbing Mining Season Opens”; April 10, 1912; p. 1.

 The Shenango Pit at Chisholmhttp://www.treasurenet.com/images/americanwest/WEST133.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: pjefamilyresearch@gmail.com