On This Date in Minnesota History: January 10

January 9, 1905 – Its outside cover musty and soiled, but the paper carefully rolled within in an excellent state of preservation, the long lost original copy of the draft of the constitution of the State of Minnesota was found today by George B. Brown, chief of clerk in the office of the secretary of state.

Cover of the 1857 Minnesota Constitution¹

For years the whereabouts of the original of the constitution of the state had been a mystery. Occasionally old settlers familiar with its adoption have called at the secretary of state’s office in the old capitol and asked to see the constitution. They have been told that the draft had been missing for many years, and it had been given up as lost.

But it was found today. In removing to the new capitol, the records of the office were turned topsy-turvy and this is responsible for the discovery. In sorting out miscellaneous records in the vault today, Chief Clerk Brown came across a roll of papers. Beneath the covering was the original draft of the constitution drawn and adopted Aug. 29, 1857. St. A. D. Balcombe signed the constitution as chairman of the convention, and the amendments adopted in 1869 bear the signature of Gov. Alexander Ramsey and Gen. J. H. Baker, then secretary of state.
  

Gen. James H. Baker²

The great green seal of the state is attached to the document. Gen. Baker is still living, being a resident of Mankato. Nearly every other man who signed as a member of the constitutional convention has been dead for years.

The Saint Paul Globe; “Lost Relic Found. Original Constitution of State Discovered in Moving.”; Jan. 10, 1905; p. 5.

¹https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Constitution#/media/File:1857MinnesotaConstitution.JPG

²https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/James_H._Baker.png

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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: January 8

January 8, 1917 – A railroad car shortage resulted today in the first automobile ride ever taken by 16-year-old King and 20-year-old Basil, who together comprised more than seven tons of elephant, loaded on a truck and transported from St. Paul to Minneapolis. Andrew Downey, owner, was unable to hire the usual freight car for the trip. The novelty of their ride left the two stars in a highly nervous state for their afternoon and evening acts at the New Palace Theater.

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Elephants Get Auto Ride as Cars Fail”; January 9, 1917; p. 2.

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; January 9, 1917; p. 9.

               __________________________________________________________

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: January 7

January 7, 1902 – The bold unbelievers who insisted that they would go to prison before they allowed themselves to be vaccinated, were very meek when they appeared in the Minneapolis police court this morning.

C. H. Kelly and Dr. T. L. Hedderley, were both found in a home on Nicollet Ave. where a case of smallpox has been found, and removed to quarantine, and Charles Johnson was found at a local hotel, where another case was located. All three refused to be vaccinated.

Johnson was fined $10. Sentence was suspended to let him get back home to his sick child. Judge Dickinson advised him to have himself passed by the health department and he hastened to comply.

Dr. Hedderley pleaded guilty, but he was examined by the court. Judge Dickinson gave the three men some wholesome advice.

At first Mr. Kelly was inclined to pay his fine and resist, but when he found that if he paid his fine, they would still insist upon vaccinating him, and if he refused, arrest him again, he submitted. Fines of $10 were imposed in both cases, and they turned themselves over to the health department representatives.

The Minneapolis Tribune; “Each Pay Fine of $10. Two Men Who Refused to be Vaccinated—Another Released.”; Jan. 8, 1902; p. 6.

Smallpox

http://www.amnh.org/explore/science-topics/disease-and-eradication/countdown-to-zero/smallpox

               __________________________________________________________

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: January 6

January 6, 1921 – The Duluth & Iron Range depot and lunch counter at Allen Junction was completely destroyed by fire of undetermined origin that originated in the basement of the building at 3 this morning. Although the building was equipped with water pipes for fire protection, the blaze spread so rapidly that the water was of no avail and soon the entire building was consumed. The building was practically new and one of the most modern depots on the road. The loss will probably run upwards of $6,000. Besides the loss of the building and office equipment to the railroad company, C. R. McQouwn, who operated the lunch counter, also suffered a heavy loss in equipment and household goods, as he lived in the second story of the building.

The company has installed a temporary building to be used for an office until the depot is rebuilt. Allen Junction is one of the principal terminals on the railroad, as it is the junction point between points on the main line and such places as Aurora, Biwabik, Eveleth and Virginia.

The Duluth Herald; “Allen Junction Depot, Lunch Counter Burns”; Jan. 7, 1921; p. 21.

Allen Junction
http://www.west2k.com/mnpix/allenjunction.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: January 5

January 5, 2011¹ – Minnesota Twins pitcher Bert Blyleven was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on this date. “Blyleven was drafted in the third round by the Minnesota Twins in 1969. He made his debut for the club on June 9, 1970 at the age of 19 and finished the season as the AL Rookie Pitcher of the Year. In 1973, he pitched 9 shut outs, more than any pitcher in the American League.”² Blyleven played for the Minnesota Twins in half of his 22 seasons.<sup>1

1</sup>http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/06/sports/baseball/06hall.html?_r=2&scp=1&sq=bert%20blyleven&st=cse

²http://www.mlbcenter.com/articles/2010-mlb/indians-update_010611.html

Bert Blyleven
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/111126.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

On This Date in Minnesota History: January 4

January 4, 1906 – A letter believed to be from Pearl Wheaton, who was fatally wounded by Matt Styer, Tuesday, was discovered today and is receiving consideration in clearing up Caledonia’s recent murder mystery.

The letter is addressed to Styer ad in it the dead girl is represented as promising to elope with Styr and making arrangements to meet him at her home around midnight between Jan. 1 and Jan. 2, the hour the shooting occurred.

In view of this discovery the theory is advanced in behalf of Styer that he went to the Wheaton home to assist Pearl to escape, that he was discovered by members of the family and fired on and that he shot back in self-defense against the mother and sister, killing his sweetheart, Pearl, by accident, and that he killed himself when he realized what he had done.

The Wheaton family doubts the authenticity of the letter and clings to the original story that a triple murder and suicide was deliberately planned.

Thirty letters from Pearl Wheaton to Styer, all promising undying love, were found in Styer’s effects and among these were several in which the girl promised to go with Styer when he came after her.

Ruth Wheaton, Pearl’s sister, passed away today. Mrs. Wheaton may recover.

Pearl was formerly a school teacher in the country. Ruth was taking a nurse training at a St. Paul hospital.

The jury in the coroner’s inquest returned a verdict that Pearl Wheaton met her death at the hands of Mathias L. Styer.

The horse and rig that Styer expected to use in eloping with Pearl was found in a neighboring field.

The Minneapolis Tribune; “To Elope. Dead Wheaton Girl Had Promised Lover She Would Quit Her Parents. Letter Discovered Clears Up Mystery. Epistle Is Addressed to Styer and Is Signed By His Sweetheart.”; Jan. 5, 1906; p. 1.

http://www.davekunst1.com/Earthwalkers_Sign.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: January 3

January 3, 1902 – Fifteen-year-old Emma Forcier, the only daughter of David Forcier, was killed in the Great Western Railway Yards near her home in St. Paul this afternoon. The girl, along with her brother and some other children, were in the yards picking up pieces of coal that were scattered around.

A long line of box cars was standing on a side track and the children were picking up the coal that was under them. Emma and her brother were under the cars when a switch engine coupled to the upper end of the line of cars started them in motion, Johnnie Forcier, the brother, got out from under the train without incident and tried to tell his sister to lie down and let the car pass. She either didn’t hear him or misunderstood what he said, and attempted to crawl out between the wheels. She put her hands on the outside of the rails when the wheels struck her and both hands were cut off. A brakebeam struck her and knocked her down, injuring her internally.

Children picking up coal in the railway yard¹

As soon as the children who were present saw that the girl was under the wheels they ran to a brakeman, who signaled the engineer to stop the train. Had this not been done, the body of the child would have been ground to pieces beneath the wheels of the moving train. As it was, the wheels only passed over her arms.

When the train was stopped, a number of men who were present hurried to the girl and picked her up. She was still breathing, but died before she could be carried to her home, a few rods away.

Coroner Miller was called and investigated the case. He decided that an investigation was unnecessary, and ordered the remains taken to the county morgue. An autopsy was held over the remains this evening, which revealed the fact that four ribs were broken and that she was injured internally. It is thought that the brakebeam that struck her caused the injuries of which she died.

David Forcier, her father, is employed as a section hand on the Great Western, and was at work in the yards not far from the scene of the accident.

The Saint Paul Globe; “Little Girl Killed. Emma Forcier Is Run Over in Great Western Yards. She was Picking Up Coal. With Her Brother She Crept Under a Line of Cars—Killed When the Engine Started the Train.”; Jan. 4, 1902; p. 2.

¹https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZB7Isj9jZQ4ldvHfO6x51em3ksy8xV8C1PG6lV8yE8AwpplTY_nYeu-3TxwXbtSixlF1aTgOQSyvH8FmaljJwscZQB3H1S3W4FapAyQQS8KdePUvV35vbQQZrFZcG0n6TPUGQ6TUWwdk/s1600/coal+boys.jpg

http://users.frii.com/gbooth/Trains/GreatWestern/Introduction/GWRLogo.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