On This Date in Minnesota History: April 20

April 20, 1982¹ – “This beautiful Queen Anne historic home in Stillwater was built in 1881 by William Sauntry, a local lumber baron. [A] Recreation Hall sitting directly behind the mansion, or Gymnasium as it was called back in the day, was built in 1902 in the Moorish style, and is now a separate residence. Both buildings [were placed] on the National Registry of Historic Places [on this date].

While not a pioneer of the lumber trade in Stillwater, William Sauntry learned his craft from the best, the Timber King Frederick Weyerhaeuser. Weyerhaeuser took Sauntry, who is related to Bing Crosby, under his wing, where Sauntry flourished. Sauntry directed the Ann River Logging Company, which cut most of the last logs in the St. Croix River Valley. When logging dried up, Sauntry put his money into mining on some lands he owned on the Mesabi range. Not knowing a thing about the mining business, he ended up losing what money he had earned from logging. On November 10, 1914, at the Ryan Hotel in Saint Paul, he committed suicide by shooting himself with a revolver.

The Sauntry Mansion is now run as a very successful Bed and Breakfast by the current owners.”

¹http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Register_of_Historic_Places_listings_in_Washington_County,_Minnesota

²http://www.historichomesofminnesota.com/2009/10/sauntry-mansion-is-stillwater.html

Photo taken by Pamela J. Erickson. Released into the public domain Sept. 7, 2012, as long as acknowledgement included.  

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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.

                                                         

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On This Date in Minnesota History: April 19

April 19, 1896 – Private Marshall Sherman died in St. Paul on this date.  His “name goes down in the annals of 1st Minnesota history as the man who captured the battle flag of the 28th Virginia Infantry at the battle of Gettysburg on July 3, 1863, during what became known as Pickett's Charge. For his gallantry during the battle he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.” 

http://www.1stminnesota.net/SearchResults.php3?ID=0337

Picketts charge from a position on the Confederate line looking toward the Union lines, Zieglers grove on the left, clump of trees on right / Edwin Forbes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edwin_Forbes_Pickett's_Charge.jpg

Battle Flag of the 28th Virginia Infantry

Photo taken by Pamela J. Erickson at Civil War exhibit at Minnesota History Center.
Released into the public domain Feb. 28, 2014, 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

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On This Date in Minnesota History: April 17

April 17, 1907 – A sensation was caused at Grand Rapids today when the autopsy over the body of Thomas Willis, by Coroner Russell of Itasca County, brought to light the fact that he had been shot twice and that death was not caused by the bullet that entered his head at the base of the skull, as at first reported, but was caused by another bullet that entered his thigh and lodged in the backbone.

Willis was killed by his son, Keaton Willis, 32, last Saturday at Deer River, after a family quarrel, and it was claimed at that time that the young man did the shooting in self-defense.

Birds Eye View, Deer River, Minn., 1910¹

The autopsy, however, brought to light the fact that the bullet that entered his head at the base of his skull followed the bone of the skull around and lodged in his forehead, causing simply a scalp wound. The second bullet entered the thigh, the flesh wound caused by it being so slight as to cause no notice, and lodged in the backbone, causing death.

It is now alleged that the young man shot him first in the head, rendering him unconscious, and then deliberately shot him again, the last shot being the one that caused his death. Keaton Willis will be given a preliminary hearing tomorrow, at which he is expected to be bound over to the grand jury on a charge of manslaughter, and possibly murder.

The people of Grand Rapids are very indignant over the result of the autopsy and some talk of lynching. He is a very large man, well built and in good health. The old man was very feeble and weighed about 125 pounds.

According to the family, Mrs. Willis, two daughters and Keaton were sitting in a room when Mr. Willis entered with a quantity of bed clothing that had been in a camp in the woods all winter.

Mrs. Willis told her husband that she did not want the bed clothing in the house, but the man insisted on coming in, when Keaton pushed him through the door.

Mr. Willis then went to town, bought a revolver and returned to the house. The occupants were first attracted to his presence outside by seeing him point a gun at them through a window. One of the sisters then ran into another room, and returned with a revolver that she handed to Keaton, telling him at the same time to defend them.

Keaton, then, it is claimed, took up a position near the back door, and when his father approached, shot at him. The old man reeled for a moment, then fell. He got up, however, whereupon his son fired another shot, the bullet striking his father in the back of the neck, killing him almost instantly.

On July 11, 1907, after deliberating about 12 hours, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty, and Keaton Willis was discharged from custody.

Itasca County Courthouse, Grand Rapids, Minn., 1908²

The Minneapolis Tribune; “New Facts Brought Out at the Autopsy; Sensation Caused by Inquest at Grand Rapids. Aged Mr. Willis May Have Been Deliberately Murdered. Did Not Die From Bullet in Head, But From Wound in Thigh.”; April 18, 1907; p. 2.

The Bemidji Daily Pioneer; “Keaton Willis Murder Trial at Grand Rapids; Work of Securing Jury Drags Tediously.”; June 27, 1907; p. 1.

Duluth Evening Herald; “Not Guilty of Charge of Murdering His Father.”; July 12, 1907; p. 9.

¹http://www.lakesnwoods.com/images/DeerRi266.jpg

²http://www.mncourts.gov/Find-Courts/Itasca/CourthouseHistory.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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On This Date in Minnesota History: April 16

April 16, 1901 – “St. Paul rail tycoon James J. Hill, on business in Seattle, learned that Edward H. Harriman was in New York buying up shares of the Northern Pacific to wrest control of the company from Hill. Hill ordered all trains to give right of way to his express train, and made the 1,800 mile trip to St. Paul in 45 hours 50 minutes -- 21 hours under the typical time. He went on, and stopped the deal in New York. During the buying frenzy, NP shares rose from $100 and peaked at $1,000 on May 9.”

http://www.thehistorypeople.com/data/docs/timeline-part1.pdf

James J. Hill

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:James_J._Hill_at_35.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 15

April 15, 1912 – “According to researchers, 25 of the Titanic's passengers were traveling to Minnesota. Most were Scandinavian emigrants. Eleven Minnesota-bound passengers survived, including [John Pillsbury] Snyder, the grandson of Minnesota's eighth governor, and his 22-year-old wife. John Snyder died in 1959, Nelle Snyder in 1983.”

http://www.startribune.com/local/132417548.html

Nelle and John Pillsbury Snyder, Titanic Survivors 

https://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/titanic-survivor/john-pillsbury-snyder.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: pjefamilyresearch@gmail.com

On This Date in Minnesota History: April 14

April 14, 1913 – Algot Johnson, 16-year-old “boy bandit,” who with Charles Melodrowski, a youthful companion, shot and killed Harry Chesmore, Duluth policeman, on Jan. 3, 1911, was freed from Stillwater Prison this afternoon by the state board of pardons.

Algot Johnson

Johnson had been sentenced to 30 years. The pardon, it is believed, was granted because the young man is said to be dying from tuberculosis, which he has contracted since he has been confined at Stillwater. Melodrowski, his companion in crime, who was a “lifer,” died about a year ago, a victim of the same disease.

Melodrowski and Johnson, aspiring to be dime novel heroes, held up the night clerk at the McKay Hotel early on the morning of Jan. 3, 1911. In attempting to escape they were captured by Patrolman Chesmore at the interstate bridge. The officer was shot by Melodrowski while on the street car which was taking them to the station.

McKay Hotel, Duluth, MN¹

Johnson’s parents at the time of the trial were residents of Virginia, Minn. Since his incarceration tuberculosis has developed rapidly. At the urgent request of his relatives, the pardon was granted.

Prosecutor Norton strongly censured the pardon board for their action today. When interviewed, he was emphatic in his declaration that the pardon board had been “worked” and that the release of the young man from the penitentiary was defeating the ends of justice.

“During my tenure of office,” said the former county attorney, “frequent  appeals were made to me to use what influence I had to secure Johnson’s release. I told the women who visited me in his behalf that if they would come around in 20 years, I might feel if I could help them.

“Knowing the circumstances of the crime as I do, I look upon the action of the pardon board as an outrage. From all that I have been able to learn, this young fellow is no more liable to die from tuberculosis than I am.”

Argot Johnson died July 3, 1913.


The Duluth Herald; “’Boy Bandit’ Pardoned; Has Not Long to Live”; April 15, 1913; p. 9.

¹https://reflections.mndigital.org/catalog/nemhc:4608#/image/0

__________________________________________________________

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