Saturday, October 21, 2017

On This Date in Minnesota History: October 21

October 21, 1904 – A crazy man sitting on the railroad tracks, minus his clothes, was witnessed by the crew of a rapidly approaching passenger train of the Milwaukee, near Pipestone this afternoon.

The engineer tooted his whistle and rang the bell of the locomotive, but the man did not move, and it was only by applying the full force of the air brakes that the train was stopped before it reached the apparently oblivious man.

Several of the crew jumped to the ground and rushed up to the man, but he arose to his feet and put up one of the liveliest fights seen along the line for years. He put the engineer down for the count with a left hook to the wind and hung the La Blanche whirl on the jaw of an aggressive brakeman and finished by getting to the conductor with a straight right punch on the nose.

After finally being restrained, he was then clothed, put in the baggage car and taken to Pipestone, where he gave his name as John Randolph of Virginia. He said that he was a telegraph operator and could send messages to anyone without wires or machinery of any kind.

Judge Ring examined the man and committed him to the state asylum.

The Saint Paul Globe; “Crazy Man Blocks A Railroad Train. Destitute of Clothing He Sits on Track and Fights Train Crew.”; Oct. 22, 1904; 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

Contact me at:
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Friday, October 20, 2017

On This Date in Minnesota History: October 20

October 20, 1915 – Chorus girls who show in Minneapolis will have to cover their legs with something less transparent than rays from the footlights. Thomas Patrick Gleason, moral censor of the theaters, is on the warpath and intends that no young lady will contract pneumonia in this town.

Gleason halted the entertainment at the Unique Theater this evening long enough to make the Diving Nymphs retire to their subterranean dressing room and cover their mermaid limbs with something more substantial than talcum powder.

Gleason says “nix on the nature costume.” Jaded Broadway may demand a runway along a cross section of the “bald-headed row,” but Gleason won’t let those who tread the runway be exposed to any chilling drafts from the front of the house.

Asked what he would do if dancers Pavlova or Gertrude Hoffman came along, Gleason said, “The art stuff is a little deep for me, so I’ll have to reserve my decision on that point till the occasion arrives.”

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Morals Censor Makes Diving Nymphs Cover Up—Art Stuff Sidestepped.”; October 21, 1915; p. 1.



               __________________________________________________________

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





Thursday, October 19, 2017

On This Date in Minnesota History: October 19

October 19, 1911 – Hugh Robinson, the Minneapolis-to-New Orleans aviator, reach Prairie du Chien, Wis., at 11 a.m. today, 218 miles from Minneapolis, after winning one of the most thrilling battles for his life.

Hugh Robinson1

The aviator started on the second leg of his journey to the gulf from Winona, where he had been laid up since Tues. noon, due to an accident to his hydroplane and the impossible weather of Wed. He had flown 126 miles from Minneapolis.

Robinson left Prairie du Chien at 1:05 p.m., bound for Dubuque, Ia. He reached an elevation of 1,000 feet and got away at a speed of about a mile a minute. He spent the night in Dubuque, 270 miles from Minneapolis. He intends to get away from Dubuque at 8 a.m.

Half way between Winona and La Crosse, a bolt in the front controller of his plane loosened and fell from the rigging rendering this piece useless. Robinson found it impossible to manipulate the plane. The craft was 3,000 feet in the air and making a mile or more a minute.

Robinson realized the gravity of the situation, but without checking his engines, leaned far forward in his seat and found that he could direct the course of the airship by throwing his weight forward and bending all his energies to the manipulation of the rear control.


For a time it looked as though he would have to stay in the air until the gasoline was exhausted and then take his chances in a sheer drop of 3,000 feet, But at 8:40 he slid into shore at La Crosse after a corkscrew descent and a short spurt on the surface of the river.

After a hearty breakfast, Robinson mended his plane and at 9:47 was up and away. He passed Stoddard, Genoa and Victory shortly after 10 a.m. and was going at about a mile a minute, according to reports. He was distinctly visible to people for miles on both side of the river.

He passed Lansing, the first Iowa town sighted, at 10:30 and at 11 a.m., reached Prairie du Chien, where he dropped to the river and went to shore. The population of the town was on shore to greet him.

Not counting the time the aviator took in sliding on the water or at the start and finish he had covered the 60 miles between La Crosse and Prairie du Chien in 60 minutes.
__________________

On Oct. 22, Aviator Hugh Robinson ended his flight at Rock Island, Ill., explaining that the failure of cities along the river to raise funds necessary to pay expenses was the cause for his stopping the flight. He says will pack up his plane and leave for Enid, Okla., to fill exhibition dates.

Rock Island, Ill.2

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Robinson Faces Doom While 3,000 Feet in Air.”; Oct. 20, 1911; p. 1.

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Robinson Tells Why He Quit Gulf Flight. Aviator Says Cities Failed to Live Up to Their Financial Agreements. His Machine Is Packed and Sent to Oklahoma for Exhibition Work. Association Is at Loss to Understand Birdman’s Action.”; Oct. 23, 1911; p. 1.
Warren Sheaf; “Flyer Quits River Flight. Aviator Hugh Robinson Leaves Rock Island Because Cities Fail to Raise Funds for Him.” Warren, Minn.; Oct. 26, 1911; p. 6.

1http://earlyaviationpioneers.com/images/vol%205/robinson.jpg

2http://pics4.city-data.com/cnfar/cnfar2901.png

               __________________________________________________________

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



Wednesday, October 18, 2017

On This Date in Minnesota History: October 18

Oct. 18, 2002 - “Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett was charged [on this date] with sexual assault and false imprisonment for allegedly groping a woman after pulling her into the bathroom of a Minnesota restaurant. According to [his] District Court criminal complaint, the retired baseball star grabbed the woman’s arm and ‘dragged her into the men’s restroom and then touched her breast.” This [wasn’t] the first time the [then] 42-year-old Puckett has been accused of mistreating a woman.

“In December 2001, Puckett’s wife Tonya (who has since filed for divorce) told Minnesota cops that her husband ‘screamed at her, over the telephone that he was going to kill her.’”

http://twinstrivia.com/today-in-twins-history/




Kirby Puckett

http://z.lee28.tripod.com/sbnsperspectives/id5.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

Contact me at:
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Tuesday, October 17, 2017

On This Date in Minnesota History: October 17

October 17, 1902 – St. Paul police were notified today of the arrest of Alfred S. Toler and Alice Gailey in St. Louis, Mo. Toler is a 52-year-old widower, while his companion is a 15-year-old girl. The two were arrested at the insistence of the girl’s relatives and will be brought back to St. Paul.

Toler won considerable notoriety several months ago by his efforts to marry the Gailey girl. At one time the two visited the clerk of the courts and requested a marriage license. As the girl was under age, the clerk refused to issue the license. Toler attempted to convince the mother that it was all for the best, but she refused to consent to the match.

Later Toler and the girl’s father called at the home of Mrs. Gailey and when the police arrived, Mrs. Gailey accused them of attempting to carry the young girl away. This time the case got into the police court.

Yes, Toler and William Gailey, the girl’s father, were working together. Apparently Mr. Gailey soon disappeared with Toler’s daughter. While the neighbors were still gossiping about this little sensation, Alice Gailey left home and her mother received a note saying that Alice had married a traveling man. When Toler disappeared, Mrs. Gailey became suspicious and notified the police.

The Saint Paul Globe; “Eloping Couple Taken By St. Louis Police. Alfred Toler and His Son-in-Law’s Daughter Are Arrested in St. Louis.”; Oct. 18, 1902; p. 3.



Photo taken by Pamela J. Erickson. Released into the public domain Sept. 16, 2017,
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.


Website:  TheMemoryQuilt.com > click on Family History

Contact me at:
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Monday, October 16, 2017

On This Date in Minnesota History: October 16

October 16, 1903 – Mrs. Laura Wagner, wife of Jacob Wagner, of Spring Park, has disappeared with her three-year-old son, and the husband and father is anxiously searching for a clue to the missing ones. Hoping to find a trace of them, he today advertised in the St. Paul papers and offered a reward of $25 for information that will lead him to locate them.

South St. Paul, one mile south of where the hamlet of Spring Park is located, is wrought up over the mysterious disappearance of mother and son. A diligent search of the surrounding country has failed to reveal a trace of the woman and child, and the father is greatly distressed.

According to her husband, Mrs. Wagner was last seen Wed. morning (Oct. 14) when she drove her husband in a buggy to South St. Paul as usual, where he is employed in a packing house, and no one has seen her since. As the boy accompanied her on the trip, the first thought of Mr. Wagner, on missing his wife and son, was that the horse had run away and that the mother and child had been thrown out along the road.


South St. Paul Stockyards1

With the assistance of neighbors, he searched the road for several miles, but no trace of the team or woman or child was found. Inquiry at the home of Mrs. Wagner’s parents in West St. Paul, failed to elicit any information, and Mr. Wagner is now at a loss to know which way to turn.

________________________

The following day, Mrs. Wagner was located in St. Paul, where she and her son were staying with her sister Anna and brother-in-law, Seth Isham.

Isham said that Mrs. Wagner had left her home and did not wish to continue living with her husband because he treated her badly, and that she had come to his home two months ago, not last Wed. During that time she had secured employment with a private family on St. Anthony Hill (now known as Cathedral Hill*). In addition, she had made an application for divorce, alleging cruel treatment by her husband.

Mrs. Wagner has been married 14 years, and has four children, the youngest of which she had taken with her.

________________________

On learning through the newspaper reports that his wife had been staying with the Ishams, Wagner called there demanding to see his wife. He was told that she was not there, and insisted upon searching the premises. Upon being refused, he is charged with assaulting his brother-in-law.

Isham was struck over the left eye with the heavy metal handle of an umbrella and sustained a cut necessitating several stitches. Although half stunned, he recovered sufficiently to eject Wagner from the house. Isham called at the office of the city prosecutor and demanded a warrant for his assailant.
________________________

The woes of Jacob Wagner of South St. Paul came to a climax in police court when he was sentenced to 90 days in the workhouse, with the option of a $100 fine, for assaulting his brother-in-law. He was later committed to the workhouse in default of the fine.

2



The Saint Paul Globe
; “Mother and 3-Year-Old Boy Missing. Mrs. Laura Wagner and Child of Spring Park, Mysteriously Disappear.”; Oct. 17, 1903; p. 2.

The Saint Paul Globe; “Mrs. Laura Wagner and Child Not Missing. She is at Home of Her Brother-in-Law—Has Applied for a Divorce.”; Oct. 18, 1903; p. 3.

The Saint Paul Globe; “Wagner Assaults His Brother-in-Law. Latter Refuses to Allow Him to Search Premises for Mrs. Wagner.”; Oct. 20, 1903; p. 2.

The Saint Paul Globe; “Wagner’s Woes Cause Him to shed Tears. Court Taxes Him $100 for Assaulting His Brother-in-Law.”; Oct. 22, 1903; p. 2.

*http://saintpaulhistorical.com/items/show/152
1http://www.experienceshows.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/stockyardbuckle.jpg.w300h196.jpg

2Photo taken by Pamela J. Erickson. Released into the public domain Oct. 16, 2017, 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.


Website:  TheMemoryQuilt.com > click on Family History

Contact me at:
pjefamilyresearch@gmail.com





Sunday, October 15, 2017

On This Date in Minnesota History: October 15

October 15, 1904 – The highest awards for flour at the World's Fair in St. Louis is the latest distinction given to Minneapolis, the recognized flour center of the world. Official word has been received from the fair city that the Pillsbury Company has taken the grand prizes, with accompanying medals, not only for the best flour, but for the best exhibit and best loaf of bread in the world. Pillsbury’s “Best” has again brought attention to the fact that Minneapolis stands alone as the four city of the world.

The Pillsbury exhibit at the fair is one of the stellar attractions in the great Agricultural Building and the pride of every Minneapolitan who visits the big exposition. One of the attractive features of the Pillsbury exhibit is the panorama showing the biggest flour mill in the world—the Pillsbury “A”—just as it appears in Minneapolis. The Falls of St. Anthony show up strongly in the foreground and the running water gives a most realistic appearance to these famous waters. There are miniature freight cars being loaded at the mill, and the water that turns the great wheels is in plain sight of the spectators. The mill is an exact duplicate as to every detail, and one can almost hear the wheat being ground.



On one side there is a model electric bakery, and here thousands of little loaves of Vienna bread are baked every day and given away to the interested fair visitors.

The display is intensely interesting and has attracted more attention than any other individual exhibit in the whole Agricultural Building. It speaks much for the aggressiveness and enterprise of the Pillsbury Company, and Minnesota people are justly proud of the flour that has captured the grand prize. The exhibit is a splendid advertisement for Minneapolis in particular and for the northwest in general. The “Best” flour in the world is made in Minneapolis and the northwest furnishes the hard wheat to make it with. This fact has been deeply impressed on the visitors from all parts of the world.

Another “Highest Award” that is of interest to Minneapolis is the one given to Mrs. Gans of the Chicago College of Cooking for the best loaf of bread, which was made from Pillsbury’s “Best” flour.

The Pillsbury Company has deservedly won a most sweeping victory in capturing the highest awards for the highest grade of flour, the best loaf of bread and the finest exhibit at the greatest exposition in the world’s history.



The Minneapolis Journal; “High Honors for Minnesota at World’s Fair”; October 15, 1904; p. 5.
               __________________________________________________________

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