Saturday, December 23, 2017

On This Date in Minnesota History: December 23

December 23, 1908 – Many families in Minneapolis will be without their usual amount of milk tomorrow as the result of a crusade headed by Milk Inspector W. D. McCall this afternoon when 630 gallons of milk consigned to the Minneapolis Milk Company by the Northfield Creamery Company were dumped into the sewer.

The action was taken because the Northfield Creamery Company has failed to have its herds of cows inspected as required by state law. The Minneapolis Milk Company, wishing to have pure milk, conferred with Health Commissioner P. M. Hall three weeks ago relative to the Northfield concern promised to take the matter up at the meeting of stockholders the first of the year.

Dr. Hall and Inspector McCall became impatient, however, and today when wagons of the Minneapolis Milk Company, loaded down with Northfield milk, were proceeding through the streets, Inspector McCall called a halt. This was at Third Ave. South and Second Street. Sixty-three cans, each holding 10 gallons of milk, were taken from the wagons and one by one opened and the contents poured into the sewer.


Milk Cans1

The operation took over an hour, during which time a crowd of a hundred or more persons watched the performance.

The Minneapolis Tribune; “Great Loads of Milk Poured Into Sewer. Milk Inspector McCall Destroys 630 Gallons of Lacteal Fluid. Failure of Company to Have Cows Inspected Cause of Action; Dec. 24, 1908; p. 7.

1http://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 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, December 22, 2017

On This Date in Minnesota History: December 22

December 22, 1910 – Calice Quesnel, 40 years old, and a resident of Hornet Township, Beltrami County, was examined in Probate Court this afternoon as to his sanity. He was found to be of unsound mind, and was taken to Fergus Falls this evening by Deputy Sheriff Rutledge.

Quesnel is of Canadian birth and has been a resident of Beltrami County for more than 26 years. He is married and the father of six children.

This is the second time that Quesnel has been found to be mentally ill. He was committed to the Fergus Falls asylum three years ago last June, released on parole the following August and discharged as being in sound health in March 1908.

Friends of the unfortunate man are of the opinion that he has never been well since his discharge several years ago, and say that he has repeatedly shown spells of insanity.

During these spells he has on several occasions, it is said, made many attacks upon the life of his wife with a razor, his favorite weapon.

Upon regaining his senses he claims he has had a dream. One of his most repeated habits is to wake up during the night and swear that the house is full of men, and that they are after him.

Quesnel at times is unable to recognize his own family.

The Bemidji Daily Pioneer; “Goes Insane for the Second Time. Calice Quesnel Adjudged Insane Yesterday in Probate Court by Judge Clark. Committed to Asylum Twice. Subject to Spells Which He Regards as Dreams—Pioneer Belrami County Man.”; December 23, 1910, p. 1.


Fergus Falls Hospital in 1915

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fergus_Falls_Hospital_1915.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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Thursday, December 21, 2017

On This Date in Minnesota History: December 21

December 21, 1903 – After lingering over a month in the shadow of death, Minier Simard, the carpenter who was injured Nov. 14 while at work on the West Publishing Company’s new addition downtown St. Paul, is now so far recovered as to be able to walk about. Today he was taken from the city hospital to the home of a brother after being confined to bed five weeks.


West Publishing Company 18911

When Simard was struck down by a heavy timber that he was carrying with three fellow workmen, his skull was fractured at the base of the brain and so badly was he injured that it was at first thought he had been killed outright. A call was sent for Coroner Miller, but Dr. Moore, police surgeon, who arrived in response to a summons, discovered that the man was alive. Blood flowed from Simard’s ears, mouth and nose, and it seemed as though death was imminent. He was hurried to the hospital, where he was attended by the house physicians and Dr. A. W. Whitney. While suffering from the fractured skull, his condition was complicated by the house nephritis that developed as a result of the shock of the injury, and for weeks he seemed close to death.

With remarkable vitality, however, he rallied and gradually recovered strength and consciousness. He still suffers slight paralysis, however. His sense of smell is somewhat impaired and one eyelid is paralyzed.

To overcome the defect of the eyelid that he is unable to open, Simard has invented a contrivance by which he holds the lid up, giving him use of his vision. The invention consists of a combination of rubber straps with a small clamp to lift and hold up the eyelid.

Dr. Whitney says that Simard will be able to go back to work as soon as he recovers his strength. Is recovery is regarded as remarkable.

The St. Paul Globe; “He Leaves Hospital. Minier Simard’s Recovery Surprises Physicians.”; Dec. 22, 1903; p. 2.

1https://img.apmcdn.org/c85d20f85101efe427a9ab4aeb63428b788a29b9/uncropped/b73c82-20150529-west01.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:
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Wednesday, December 20, 2017

On this Date in Minnesota History: December 20

December 20, 1909 - Laurits S. Swenson, vice president and manager of the Union State Bank of Minneapolis, was today appointed minister from the United States to Switzerland by President Taft.



Laurits S. Swenson1

It has been known for some time that the president was considering the Minneapolis man for an important post but his appointment today was nevertheless somewhat expected.

Swenson is well known throughout the state and his service as minister to Denmark from 1897 to 1905 has given him an excellent training for his new post. While in Denmark he was closely identified with the treaty between that country and the United States relating to the Danish West Indies and for the last three years at Copenhagen was dean of the diplomatic corps.

The new minister is a Minnesota boy, having been born and reared in Nicollet County, a few miles west of St. Peter. He is 44 years old. After returning from Denmark he helped to organize the Union State Bank and has devoted his time to that institution ever since.

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Lauritz S. Swenson, Named by President as Country’s New Minister to Switzerland”; Dec. 21, 1909; p. 8.

1https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurits_S._Swenson#/media/File:Laurits_S._Swenson.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



Tuesday, December 19, 2017

On This Date in Minnesota History: December 19

December 19, 1919 – The manufacture of intoxicating liquor for the manufacturer’s own use and transportation of it, except for medicinal and other expressly permitted purposes, are unlawful in Minnesota, the state supreme court held in decisions filed today sustaining the validity of the so-called prohibition enforcement law enacted by the 1919 legislature. This decision is a blow to “home stills.”


Example of a home still1 

The legislature may prohibit traffic in near intoxicants, the court rules.

The decisions affirm orders of the Hennepin County District Court overruling demurrers to indictments against Eugene A. Hosmer and Andrew Brothers, both of Minneapolis. Hosmer was charged with manufacturing one quart of beer to be used as a beverage and containing one-half of one percent alcohol. The indictment against Brothers accused him of unlawfully transporting one gallon of intoxicating liquor.

“The ultimate purpose of prohibition is to prevent the excessive use of intoxicating liquors,” says the opinion in the Hosmer appeal. “To accomplish that purpose and to prevent evasions, the legislature may prohibit the traffic, sale, transportation, possession and manufacture, even for the use of the manufacturer.”

In the Brothers case, it is held among other things, that “to make the enforcement of prohibition effective the legislature may prohibit traffic in beverages near to intoxicating.

“The fact that the legislature declares such beverages intoxicating does not invalidate such prohibition. It is within the power of the legislature to prohibit the manufacture, transportation and sale of liquor containing one-half percent of alcohol.”

Both opinions, written by Judge Oscar Hallam, are unanimous.



Judge Oscar Hallam2 

 Hosmer contended that he made the liquor in good faith as a tonic for his aged father. Brothers was charged with transporting intoxicating liquor July 29 in Minneapolis.

Both indictments by the Hennepin County grand jury were returned under Chapter 455 of the Minnesota laws of 1919. The trial court overruled the demurrer to the indictment and certified ten questions on each to the supreme court.

Decisions today uphold at every point of attack the constitutionality and validity of the new law.

Going further, the court holds that it is within the power of the legislature to prohibit the manufacture, transportation and sale of liquor containing one-half percent of alcohol, and not actually intoxicating and that the fact that the legislature declares such beverages intoxicating does not invalidate such prohibition. Thus in the Hosmer case, even home manufacture of near intoxicants is held to violate the law, and the decision, it is said, may be taken as the Swan Song of the home still.

Holding that provisions making places where liquor is manufactured and sold nuisances, are germane to the general subject, the court overrules a contention that the enforcement law contains more than one subject and is invalid.

The law is not unconstitutional as a delegation of legislative power to congress, the opinion states.

“A state statute absolutely prohibiting within the limits of the state the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors,” says the opinion in the Hosmer case, “is a warranted exercise of police power. It is not in contravention of our state constitution or of the constitution of the United States.”

The Daily People’s Press; “State Supreme Court Upholds Prohibition. Minn. Decision Holds that Manufacture and Transportation Are Prohibited. Ruling Strikes At Home Stills. Court Unanimous in Opinion Upholding the Enforcement Law.”; Owatonna, Steele County, Minn.; Dec. 29, 1919; p. 1.

1https://i.pinimg.com/originals/e9/72/b4/e972b45aaa2e47347c3b1e1c39686645.jpg (home still)

2https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_Hallam#/media/File:Oscar_Hallam_(Minnesota_Supreme_Court).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 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





Monday, December 18, 2017

On This Date in Minnesota History: December 18

December 18, 1907 – Margaret Higgins, the 11-year-old daughter of A. M. Higgins, was fatally injured this evening at Lake Calhoun, where she was struck by an ice boat, sustaining a fracture of the skull at the base. She died about 20 minutes later at the residence of Dr. M. Russell Wilcox on Calhoun Blvd., where she was carried by Charles Chamberlain, a young man who was skating on the lake.

Miss Higgins had just stepped from an ice boat in which she had been riding with Harold Fall, also 11 years old. Another ice boat was veering toward her, and in a spirit of daring, it is said, she leaped in front of the craft toward the shore, only a few feet away. But the wind was carrying the ice boat faster than she knew, and she was thrown violently many feet across the ice, the mast of the boat striking her at the base of her skull.

She was immediately carried into the home of Dr. Wilcox directly opposite the scene of the accident, and there every effort was made to save her life, but she was already past hope.

That boat that struck the girl was driven by L. H. Swatbout, according to information received by the police.

The parents of the dead child were almost prostrated when notified of the accident. The body was taken to their home this evening.

The Minneapolis Tribune; “Girl Is Killed By Speeding Iceboat. Margaret Higgins Dies of Injuries Received. Accidentally Steps in Front of a Swiftly Moving Craft. Immediately Carried Into Home of Dr. M. R. Wilcox, Where She Expires.”; Dec. 19, 1907; p. 1.


Sample of ice boat on Lake Calhoun  


https://i.pinimg.com/736x/5c/20/1d/5c201dd34e0f4bc17b1f09fa0fc7123f--minneapolis-minnesota.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



Sunday, December 17, 2017

On This Date in Minnesota History: December 17

December 17, 1908 – After finishing an impassioned plea in the trial of a case in district court in Albert Lea this afternoon, attorney Lafayette French of Austin, Minn., was stricken with a stroke. His surgeon diagnosed the case as cerebral hemorrhage and the sufferer is in critical condition.


Freeborn County Courthouse, Albert Lea, Minn.1


French has long been recognized as one of the leading attorneys of the state. He enjoys a very large practice and has been in Albert Lea often trying important litigation. He was removed to his home in Austin.

________________

French never fully recovered from his first stroke, but he was able to continue do some legal work. He died on October 30, 1912 after a second stroke.



Lafayette French2

French was born Nov. 19, 1848, on a farm near Loraine Township, OH. When he was five years old, his father died and his mother died seven years later, leaving the 12-year-old practically alone. He came directly to Austin, Minn., and entered the employ of Page & Wheeler, a law firm. On Sept. 28, 1871, he was admitted to practice. French was county attorney in 1874, and was mayor of Austin in 1885, 1886 and 1887, and president of the Minnesota State Bar Assn in 1909. He had practiced in United States district courts and appeared before the United States Supreme Court at Washington in the famous Emmons station case ten years ago. He was a Mason and Knight Templar.

French was survived by his wife Mary Vine Richards; Maurine French Varco, Fairview, Mont.; Lafayette French, Jr., and Inez, who live at home.

The Minneapolis Tribune; “Lawyer Stricken At Close of Plea. Lafayette French of Austin in a Critical Condition at Albert Lea.”; Dec. 18, 1908; p. 4.

Mower County Transcript; “Lafayette French Stricken.”; October 30, 1912; p. 3.

The Duluth Herald; Nov. 1, 1912; p. 18.

1http://courthousehistory.com/images/gallery/Minnesota/Freeborn/Albert%20Lea%20-%20Old%20%20B_large.jpg

2http://www.ci.austin.mn.us/wp-content/gallery/past-mayor-pictures/7_lafayette_french.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