Saturday, August 18, 2018

On This Date in Minnesota History: August 18

August 18, 1929 – Attracted by the smells coming from the back of a fish delivery truck, a black bear followed the truck into downtown Duluth. The bear then turned his attention to the smells coming from the Hotel Duluth Coffee Shop.  [H]e “rose up on his hind feet and looked around as if greatly confused. He then walked over to the coffee shop and with one mighty blow of its paw, it smashed a fifteen foot tall plate glass window. Glass flew in every direction. The bear dropped to all fours and rushed through the window to the center of the coffee shop.”

After causing a ruckus in the coffee shop, the bear was eventually shot by a Duluth police officer.  “The magnificent animal was later sent to a local taxidermist and for many years was displayed in the front window of the "Black Bear Lounge" in the hotel. Presently it is on display in the main dining room of the original Grandma’s Saloon & Grill in Canal Park, Duluth.” 

http://www.cityhistory.us/duluth/architecture/hotelduluth.htm



http://zenithcity.com/zenith-city-history-archives/myths-notorious-tales/bear-and-drunk-square-off-at-the-hotel-duluth/
               __________________________________________________________

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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Friday, August 17, 2018

On This Date in Minnesota History: August 17

August 17, 1905 – With a lead loaded billy club, J. Budd, a Minneapolis street lamp lighter, put two would-be highwaymen to utter rout on Park Avenue, between Twenty-seventh and Twenty-eighth Streets, at 3:30 this morning.

One of the would-be robbers was badly marked by Budd and both were glad to get away and avoid further punishment.

Budd had just put out a light on Park Avenue, near Twenty-seventh Street when two men, whom he had noticed sneaking along in dark spots, came up to him with revolvers in their hands.


Lamplighter1



“Hands up,” they ordered, pointing their firearms at Budd.

Budd’s hands went up in a hurry. In one of them he held a billy club. Hardly had the hands gone up than the right one holding the billy club came down again with terrific force.



Sample billy club2

One of the robbers received a terrible blow on the side of his head. He dropped like a log. Budd was just about to land on the second man when the latter stepped back and threatened to shoot.

At this juncture Budd took safety in flight. The robber ordered him to stop, but he kept on running.

The highwayman did not shoot, but contented himself with dragging his partner to a place of safety.

Budd is sure that the man he struck is badly marked and the police are on the lookout.

The Minneapolis Tribune; “’Billy’ In Hands of J. Budd, Plucky Lamplighter, Puts Highwaymen to Rout. Two Men Order Him to ‘Throw Up His Hands,’ Which He Promptly Does, Bringing One of Them Down Again Instantly and Felling His Assailant.”; Aug. 18, 1905; p. 7.
1http://www.junipercivic.com/historyArticle.asp?nid=13#.W2iP8NVKjFg

2Photo credit: <a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/d2/d2/27/d2d227ca4c1f813cf84a56ebe29a939f.jpg">Pinimg.com</a>

               __________________________________________________________

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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Thursday, August 16, 2018

On This Date in Minnesota History: August 16


August 16, 1912 – A party of Minneapolis men, headed by E. P. Moorhead, who has been prospecting in the vicinity of Northome, Koochiching County, Minn., arrived in Duluth tonight and reported the discovery of gold in paying quantities there. The deposit is said to be both ore and placer. It is claimed that the ore averaged about $20 to the ton.

The prospectors claim that the district will prove an important gold field.
_______________________________

“As early as 1865 prospectors began coming into the Rainy River and Rainy Lake area on both the Canadian and American sides, to search for precious minerals. George W. Davis, a prospector, arrived at the Little American Island in Rainy Lake in July of 1893. He panned some quartz and found gold. News of his discovery spread quickly and soon hundreds of prospectors were streaming into the region. Mining operations by the Bevier Mining and Milling Company were in full swing on the Little American Island by 1894. Mines were also opened on the Dry Weed and Bushy Head Islands.”1

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune
; “Minneapolitans Strike Gold. Party headed by E. P. Moorhead Find Ore Near Northome, Minn.”; Aug. 17, 1912; p. 1.

1http://www.co.koochiching.mn.us/220/The-Age-of-Mining





http://www.lakesnwoods.com/Northome.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 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, August 15, 2018

On This Date in Minnesota History: August 15

August 15, 1911 – Mrs. Albert O. Bourne was found murdered five miles east of Montevideo, Minn., today. She lived with her husband eight miles from town.

The couple had been married two months.

Neighbors say Mr. and Mrs. Bourne left their home for a drive. They were seen near the scene of the crime. Later Mrs. Bourne was found near the roadside with her skull crushed by a blunt instrument, possibly a stone.

There was nothing on her person to identify her and not until a horse found near the body was turned loose and led the searchers to the Bourne home was her identity established.

On Dec. 13, 1911, Albert O. Bourne was found guilty of first degree murder by a jury of his peers. He was sentenced to hard labor at Stillwater for life by Judge Quale. It is estimated that the case cost Chippewa County more than $5,000.

The Duluth Herald; “Woman Is Murdered. Mrs. Albert O. Bourne Beaten to Death Near Montevideo.”; Aug. 16, 1911; p. 6.

Little Falls Herald; “Husband Accused of Crime. Woman Found Murdered Near Montevideo, Minn.”; Aug. 25, 1911; p. 4.

The Duluth Herald; “Wife Slayer Gets Life.”; Dec. 15, 1911; p. 26.


http://montechamber.com/

               __________________________________________________________

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, August 14, 2018

On This Date in Minnesota History: August 14

August 14, 1923 – Minneapolis Police Officer Emil Engstrom was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a robbery suspect. Officer Engstrom, one of the agency's taxicab inspectors, was riding with the president of a taxi company when he observed the suspect wanted for a robbery earlier in the day. When he approached the man the suspect shot him in the neck. The suspect fled but surrendered two days later. He was sentenced to life in prison.

Officer Engstrom had only been with the agency for eight months and was survived by his wife.



Emil Engstrom
https://www.odmp.org/officer/4599-officer-emil-engstrom
               __________________________________________________________

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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Monday, August 13, 2018

On This Date in Minnesota History: August 13


August 13, 1911 – Wm. L. Stubbs, 48 years old of St. Paul, was found dead today in Calvary Cemetery, St. Paul, beside his mother’s grave. One of the wardens of the cemetery found Stubbs. In his left hand a little card containing his farewell words, “A better wife than mine never lived.”

Stubbs, who was born and raised in St. Paul, entered the former Powers Dry Goods Company employ in 1879, and stayed with the firm when it later was changed into the firm of Tibbs & Hutchins until it failed in business. He frequently was observed brooding of the failure of the firm with which he was connected practically all his life.

His death was a suicide caused by a gunshot to the head.

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Man Is Found Dead on Mother’s Grave”; Aug. 14, 1911; p. 6.


http://www.catholic-cemeteries.org/calvary.aspx

               __________________________________________________________

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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Sunday, August 12, 2018

On This Date in Minnesota History: August 12


“The Grip of ‘The Human Fly.’
He Uses But the First Three Fingers of Each Hand.”


August 12, 1916
– With approximately 5,000 people watching, H. H. Gardiner, dubbed as “The Human Fly” by President Grover Cleveland in 1905, climbed the front of the Alworth Building, a 15-story structure in downtown Duluth—the second tallest building in Minnesota—this noon in less than half an hour, which is a few minutes under the time it took him to ascend the front of the Torrey Building, a nine-story structure, last Wednesday.


Alworth Building1

Gardiner had far less difficulty in climbing the Alworth Building because the front of that structure is marked with steel decorations, which made it easy for him to secure the necessary holds. The Alworth is tailor-made for “The Human Fly,” and he just walked up it. At the fifteenth story he experienced a little difficulty, but not for long.

When he reached the roof of the building he climbed to the top of the flagstaff and waved to the thousands of upturned eyes that were anxiously watching his every move.

Gardiner made today’s climb for the Interstate Auto Company. The company handles the KisselKar, and when he reached the first story of the building he gave a short talk, explaining that as a climber, the KisselKar was his only competitor. At various stops in during his ascension he would shout to the crowd, “Don’t forget,” and the multitudes below would respond, “The KisselKar.”

The Duluth Herald; “’Human Fly’ Climbs Front of the Alworth Building”; Aug. 12, 1916; p. 4.



KisselKar Ad2




Human Fly Crawls Up Walls of Camden, NJ Courthouse3


1https://www.perfectduluthday.com/2017/08/09/postcards-alworth-building/

2https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kissel_Motor_Car_Company#/media/File:Kisselkar_1915-0223.jpg
3https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Gardiner#/media/File:Human_Fly_crawls_up_walls_of_Camden_NJ_Courthouse_cropped_Feb_10_1915.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