A Bit More Involved Than Kraft

I probably still have food on the brain because of Thanksgiving …but doesn’t this sound delicious?!

Macaroni With Cheese – Stillwater Messenger – December 2, 1911

Wipe a nice quantity of macaroni with a clean, dry cloth, break and throw it into boiling, salted water. Let it boil until it yields easily to pressure between the fingers. Drain it in a colander and rinse it thoroughly in cold water. Put into a saucepan 1 ounce each of butter and flour, and stir them together over the fire until they form a thick paste. Heat a cup of half milk and water to the boiling point and stir gradually into the butter and flour, season to taste with pepper, salt and a dash of nutmeg, add the macaroni; grate two ounces of hard, dry cheese and when the macaroni is quite hot stir in the cheese. Sprinkle with bread crumbs, add a few bits of butter and stand in the over just long enough to brown.

The First People of the Valley

by Bob Goodman, from “A History of Washington County: Gateway to Minnesota History“

Humans have lived in the St. Croix and Mississippi River valleys for about 12,000 years. The earliest prehistoric tradition was that of Paleo-Indian nomadic people who hunted big game such as mastodon and bison. From 10,000 to 3,000 years ago, Archaic tradition people, makers of stone tools, may have lived or hunted here. Woodland culture people of about 2,500 years ago produced the mounds that are still visible in parts of the county. These people made pottery and also began to raise crops.

Grey Cloud Island was an important place for the Woodland mound-buildings (c.600 B.C. to 600 A.D.) and for people of the Late Mississippian culture around 1000 A.D. These people used the Mississippi River as a conduit for trade and settlement. By the nineteenth century the Mdewakanton Dakota had moved into the area.

The Dakota, called Sioux by Euro-Americans, originally lived in central and northern Minnesota around Mille Lacs Lake, which is where Father Louis Hennepin found them in 1680. Their name, Mdewakanton, means “people of Spirit Lake.”

By settlement times the Dakota had been pushed south by Ojibwe people known to early settlers as Chippewa. Dakota and Ojibwe had a history of conflict and keep some distance between their settlements, with the nearest Ojibwe villages on Pokegama Lake in Pine County and the Dakota mainly on the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers. Washington County was in general a no-man’s land, home only to hunting and war parties.

The United States established an agency for the Dakota at Fort Snelling in 1820. In 1825 the rival groups were persuaded to sign a peace treaty and accept a U.S. government-surveyed dividing line between them that followed approximately the northern line of the county. It did not really keep them apart, as both Dakota and Ojibwe came to the Indian Agency at Fort Snelling. Both groups continued to use the St. Croix and Mississippi rivers as a highway to the fort.

By the early 1830s a splinter group of about 40 families from the Kaposia Dakota band headed by Medicine Bottle had moved to Grey Cloud Island. Their village of bark houses was on the northwestern part of the island. No other Indian villages appear to have existed in the confines of the county at this or any later time.

Dakota Treating Signing – 1837

The St. Croix River was included when Wisconsin Territory was established in 1836, but the land between the St. Croix and Mississippi rivers was still unceded Indian land. Lumbering interests put pressure on the U.S. government to purchase the pine lands of the St. Croix. In July of 1837, Governor Henry Dodge of Wisconsin Territory met with the Ojibwe at Fort Snelling, where a treaty was signed ceding all lands of the Chippewa between the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers up to the 46th parallel to the United States. Another treaty was signed in Washington D.C. that September with the Dakota, who had claimed the lands now included in Washington County. The treaties were ratified in 1838. The few Dakota living in the county moved into unceded land west of the Mississippi.

The two nations still clashed. After an altercation in 1839, the Dakota pursued the Ojibwe to a camp on the St. Croix River in the ravine north of Stillwater and fired into theirs midst, killing more than 20. The ravine, later the site of the Territorial Prison, became known as “Battle Hollow.”

Wisconsin Territorial Governor James D. Doty negotiated a treaty with the Dakota in 1841 that would have opened all of southern Minnesota to settlement. But Congress did not agree to the terms, and it was another 10 years before the press of settlement necessitated the purchase.

In July 1851, Alexander Ramsey, Minnesota Territorial Governor, and Luke Lea, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, signed treaties with the Dakota at Travers des Sioux and Mendota that opened the vast “Suland” of southern Minnesota to settlement and consigned the Dakota to reservations along the Minnesota River, opening the floodgates to immigration.

It Could Be Colder, Folks

Although this week has been pretty mild, I was starting to become a little worried as the temperature dipped at the tail end of last week. When I came across these chilling reports from the Stillwater Messenger in 1905, I suddenly realized I really didn’t have anything to complain about…

News Briefs – Stillwater Messenger – November 4, 1905

Anton M. Peterson, a traveling salesman, fell from the roof of his dwelling on Laurel street while shoveling snow Thursday afternoon, and sustained a sprained back and dislocation of his left wrist. He may be injured internally, as he fell on a stone sidewalk.

The Atwood B mill was forced to shut down on Friday of this week on account of the ice in the river. The South Stillwater mills are still running but will likely stop operations within a few days. The Hudson mill closed last week.

Republicans and Democrats Wouldn’t Play Nice in 1857 Either!

by Bob and Nancy Goodman

By 1856, Minnesota had more than enough inhabitants to qualify for statehood, and had had them for several years. There were advantages to remaining a Territory, such as federal financing of the territorial government, which may have accounted for the delay. But in 1856 there appeared the possibility of getting a juicy land grant for railroad construction, which would only be available to a state. In December Delegate Henry M. Rice started the statehood ball rolling.

President Franklin Pierce signed the Minnesota Enabling Act on February 26, 1857. The Act authorized the people of the Territory to hold an election on the first Monday in June, 1857, to select delegates to a Constitutional Convention. If the voters and Congress approved the Constitution there written, Minnesota would become a state.

There was an election battle between the Democrats and the new Republican Party. The prize would be the first apportionment of legislative districts in the new state. Most expected the districts would be drawn to favor the party that controlled the convention. If that party then won a majority of both houses of the legislature it could elect two new United States Senators, and so many persons in and out of the territory became much interested in the June election. The Republicans sent in money and high-caliber outside speakers. The Democrats relied on the federal patronage machine of hundreds of office-holders from the local postmaster up to the governor. In Washington County the Democrats carried the day, sending eight members to the convention.

The eight were William Holcombe, James S. Norris, Henry N. Setzer, Gold T. Curtis, Newington Gilbert, Charles J. Butler, Reuben Sanderson, and Charles G. Leonard. Holcombe, Setzer, and Curtis often spoke in the convention; the others were mostly silent.

Holcombe had been a delegate to a previous constitutional convention, representing the St. Croix Valley in the Wisconsin Constitutional Convention in 1846. He had been prominent in the Democratic Party in Washington County since 1840. Setzer had been in the last Territorial Legislature; he was a Missouri native and the most pro-Southern of the county delegates. Curtis was a relative newcomer, a Stillwater lawyer with some good clients; he was chair of the county Democratic organization. Norris, “The Sage of Crescent Hill,” had served in the Legislature and had been speaker of the House.

Of the others, Newington Gilbert was an early settler in the Valley Creek area; Charles Butler was a lumberman in Marine and Stillwater; Reuben Sanderson was a builder and town official in Lakeland; Charles Leonard had been Territorial treasurer. A former Washington County resident, Joseph R. Brown, was also a delegate, but now from Sibley County.

The election returns elsewhere could give a majority to either party, depending on disputed elections. On the day set for the first meeting of the convention, the two parties collided, held a shouting match and split into two, each loudly claiming their right to be the only true convention.

Both conventions set to work. There were many models of the basic laws of other states to work with, and little controversy on most clauses in either body. One issue was the state boundary. Some delegates in both factions proposed an east-west line running a few miles south of St. Cloud. Both parties rejected the idea. Another issue among the Republicans was voting rights for African-Americans, also rejected.

Gold Curtis introduced two amendments including: “…..a provision for securing to married or single women, in their own name, and independent of all control by any male person whatsoever, their real and personal property whenever acquired,” which was adopted. Setzer proposed an addition: “And the right of suffrage and holding office shall be secured to married women.” The change was rejected.

Curtis’ other amendment provided that: “The Territorial Prison, located under existing laws, shall, after the adoption of this Constitution, be, and remain one of the State Prisons of the State of Minnesota.” The provision remained long after the old prison at Stillwater was closed, and was finally removed in a cleanup of obsolete clauses in the constitution.

As the days went on it appeared that there would be very little difference between the two constitutions. Joseph R. Brown had the idea of two constitutions identical in content, so that neither side would appear to have surrendered to the other, and set to work getting both sides to agree. A resolution incorporating a compromise plan was introduced in both conventions, and adopted without debate by the Republicans. On the Democratic side the resolution was postponed indefinitely. Setzer was among those strongly opposed. Setzer said, “If we must go and beg other men to acknowledge us, I want no further connection with the constitutional convention.” Calls of, “Nor I, Nor I.” Brown replied: “I would merely provide that a Committee shall be appointed to take into consideration in what manner one Constitution shall be placed before the people, instead of two.”

The issue soon arose again, and a committee including Brown, Holcombe, and Setzer was named to consider agreeing on a single constitution with the Republicans. The majority report favored seeking an agreement, and the convention adopted the report. Seven members, including Setzer, voted against it. Setzer walked out, saying “Mr. President, as this body has, by a majority of its members, decided that it is no longer the Constitutional Convention, I should resign my seat if there was an authority to whom I could tender that resignation. As it is I shall simply leave the hall.” Moses Sherburne replaced Setzer on the compromise committee. A few days later the sergeant-at-arms, sent to arrest the absentees, produced Setzer at the door of the convention. He took his seat.

The compromise committee produced a constitution identical to the Republican version. Setzer exploded: “Since the Black Republicans have sacrificed their principles, we can afford to sacrifice the offices…. they have agreed upon an apportionment which is unfair and one-sided in every respect…(which) will give a majority of both houses of the Legislature into the hands of the opposition. The gentleman asks if we cannot sacrifice our individual opinions for the good of the whole. Sir, I am a Democrat for the good of the whole. Gentlemen take a good deal of credit to themselves for having sunk all partisan feeling in this matter. For one, I will not sink my partisan feeling….”

The convention adjourned for private discussions. Doubtless some heads were knocked and some arms twisted.

When the convention resumed, no amendments were accepted to the report. Several delegates said that the report was the best that could be had, and it was time for one constitution to be approved and statehood achieved. Joe Brown observed that the split conventions were all for the best, for if they had met together they would still be battling over the first clauses the next January. The final vote on adoption showed thirteen opposed, only Setzer among them from Washington County. However, he did sign the constitution.

The compromise Constitution was presented to the people of Minnesota Territory on October 13, 1857 and was easily approved by the voters. At the same election the first state officers and legislators were selected. Delegate Setzer’s fears about the apportionment proved groundless, for the Democrats carried the election. Interestingly, these gentlemen ran for offices in a state that didn’t exist under a constitution that had not been ratified. But these minor irregularities did not prevent Minnesota becoming a state on May 11, 1858. William Holcombe became the first lieutenant governor, and Setzer was named warden of the Stillwater prison.

Not one to ever truly bury the hatchet, Setzer held the position until 1860 – when he resigned in protest of Republican Abraham Lincoln’s election as President.

I Can Totally Talk to Spirits!…No! You Can’t See My Research!

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw a huge rise in the public’s interest in the supernatural. The fad even extended to the White House where Mary Todd Lincoln famously held a number of séances in attempts to reach out to her lost son. And by 1906, the American Association for Psychical Research had almost 700 active members.

The article below reports some rather bold claims by Harvard Professor of Ethics and Psychology, James H. Hyslop. By 1918 in his book, “Life After Death”, he stated: “I regard the existence of discarnate spirits as scientifically proved and I no longer refer to the skeptic as having any right to speak on the subject. Any man who does not accept the existence of discarnate spirits and the proof of it is either ignorant or a moral coward.”

Hyslop would be the greatest scientist in human history if he had truly discovered concrete proof of life beyond the grave. But I found his reluctance to elaborate on his findings more than a little suspect. “Oh no,” he says, “I can’t tell you what the ghosts said in this interview…you’ll have to buy my book!” …Uh huh…

Despite the confidence in his own claims I have to lump him squarely in the “quack pot” category.

I did chuckle a bit to read that a man who firmly believes he can talk to the dead does draw a line at the idea of weighing those disembodied spirits…That would just be silly.

Says Soul Has Talked to Him – Stillwater Messenger – October 21, 1911

With the positive statement that he has held several conversations with the spirit of the late Professor William James, the psychologist of Harvard, James H. Hyslop, secretary of the American Association for Psychical Research, has returned from Boston to New York with important material collected in a series of recent experiments.

“I can say nothing more now,” Prof. Hyslop said, “except that I have talked with the spirit of Prof. James.”

“I have talked with it several times in the last year. What the spirit said I am not ready to divulge. They have been trying over in England since Prof. James died to get in touch with his spirit, but from what I have heard, however, have had no success.”

Promises to Publish Proofs

Prof. Hyslop declared he is quite positive as to his facts and will make his proofs public within a short time.

“It would require volumes,” said Prof. Hyslop, “to detail just how I communicated with the dead and to prove that I did so; yet the fact remains that I have now proved that the souls of men and women – of little children, in fact – who have gone before, are capable of communicating with us as they please. In greater or less degree they are capable of making us know their presence. This is not spiritualism, but spiritism.”

Asked in a general way how he would proceed to establish the identity of a communicating soul, Prof. Hyslop said:

“It is accomplished in a way similar to the way of the living. For example, I might go to London and wire a friend a year later that I wanted to borrow $50, but the friend might say I was dead, and I would have to establish my identity. I could easily to do this by telling him what we had done the last time we met.”

Can communicate at will

“Souls or spirits of the departed make a similar course. They may turn somersaults; so do we. We are surrounded all the time by millions and billions of souls freed from their earthly casings. Not all of them are always present, yet any of them can communicate to us at will, and make their presence known, some of them, it is true, in a manner that seems laughable to those who cannot or will not understand.

“It required years of research for me to prove conclusively that the soul is material, and that it lives after the body has returned to dust. That the soul has material weight, however, as some say, has no claim in reason.”

Finding History in Ghost Stories

by Sean Pallas

As historians, should we distance ourselves from the paranormal? Can the Warden’s House Museum host the current warden of the Minnesota State Prison as a guest speaker and extend the same hospitality to a group of ghost hunters a few short months later?

According to a Harris Poll from last year, 42% of Americans believe in ghosts; I am not one of them. I’ve never seen pots and pans unexplainably crash to the floor nor doors fling themselves open. I’ve always said that if I see a ghost floating from room to room in the museum – I’d be more concerned with my own mental health before imagining I was a witness to the supernatural. And yet, I defend the coupling of hauntings with WCHS’ goals of preservation and dissemination because at the heart of every good ghost story is at least a kernel of history.

In a Pioneer Press article from 1995, Prof. Elizabeth Bird, of the University of Minnesota Duluth, recounted the tale of a spectral lantern carrier who supposedly haunts the Arcola High Bridge just north of Stillwater. Apparently, during World War I, an oncoming ammunition train forced the unfortunate railroad worker to leap from the side of the bridge only to perish in the waters below. Now, “on the midsummer anniversary of his death”, a mysterious light can be seen shining on the tracks.

Although a relatively simple legend on its surface, as author Paul Auster once wrote – the truth of the story lies in the details. What kind of train? An ammunition train. When does he appear? On the anniversary of his demise, naturally. And by placing the story in the historical context of the First World War, the haunting gains further credibility.

A proper investigation of this story would begin by confirming these all-important details. A truly interested party would seek out cargo manifests, military orders, train schedules, etc., etc., and suddenly the paranormal researcher has become a researcher of history.

Of course, the researcher must be prepared to discover contradictions.

According to the “Minnesota Road Guide to Haunted Locations”, the Water Street Inn in downtown Stillwater is haunted by the spirit of an alcoholic Confederate officer. Employees have reported smelling a strange musk in the air and even seeing a young man in the grey uniform of the Confederacy. There is even a review of the hotel on TripAdvisor.com from as recent as June of 2013 entitled, “Haunted!” The hotel guest reported that she “woke up to something crazy! I swear it was like someone got in my bed with me. I couldn’t move, then I found a picture taken on my phone of me sleeping. I stayed there alone with the dead bolt locked. I can’t explain it but I also smelled body odor randomly after I woke up at 4 am.”

Like the story of the haunted bridge, this ghost story clearly isn’t lacking in details. The peculiar odor is even seemingly corroborated by multiple sources. But the historical facts highlight some major issues.

The building that now houses the Water Street Inn was built in 1890 and after the Confederacy was dissolved at the conclusion of the Civil War in 1865, there just weren’t a whole lot of folks wearing Confederate uniforms – especially in the staunchly Union Minnesota. Furthermore, the building didn’t become a hotel until the current owners renovated the property in the 1990s. The building originally housed business offices and there are simply no reports of anyone passing away at the site. Whatever is going on at the Water Street Inn – it seems highly unlikely Johnny Reb is to blame.

The big question we in the world of history must constantly ask ourselves is, “How do we stay relevant?” Tales of ghosts and the paranormal can be exciting introductions to elements of local history that are unfortunately often overlooked. So for now, here at the historical society we’ll continue to occasionally delve into the realm of the supernatural with the hopes that although people might come for the ghosts – they’ll stay for the history.

Don’t Take Our Prison!

Waaay back, when I first started as an intern here at WCHS I remember being rather surprised when I was told that the good folks in Stillwater actually liked the idea of having the State Prison located in their downtown. Today, I think most communities would balk at the notion of 650 inmates moving onto their Main Streets.

But here in this article you can watch as an editor of the Stillwater Messenger pleads with his fellow citizens and community leaders to fight to keep the prison close at hand!

Bad for Stillwater – Stillwater Messenger – October 7, 1905

It is generally understood that the state board of control favors the location of the new prison on the peninsula site a mile or so south of the city.

We think such a choice would be very disastrous to the welfare of this city.

The prison is recognized as a Stillwater institution. To locate it outside of the city limits would naturally influence a large number of officers and employees, in the course of time, to build residences, stores and other improvements and Stillwater would be the loser in the way of taxes, business, etc., that such an institution brings to a town, to a considerable extent.

We hope that our business men will awake to the danger that such a move would inflict on this city and make such representation to the board that might influence them to locate the new prison within the corporate limits of Stillwater.

The prison board met this week, talked the matter of locating the new prison over, but no final action was taken. It was generally understood, however, that the lake shore site mentioned was favored. We sincerely hope our people will take steps to change the apparent decision of the board in this important matter, so far as Stillwater is concerned.

Has This Always Been Here?

by Brent Peterson

Across the street from Meister’s Bar & Grill sits an odd shaped red brick building. Today it unassumingly houses the Charlsen Trucking Service. But the plain exterior masks its slightly flashier history.

It seems as though the building at 114 West Churchill Street was constructed sometime around 1915. The original use of the building may surprise many who drive past it everyday as they go to work. The building was called the “Hilltop Theater” and was one of the early Stillwater silent movie houses.

In the February 16, 1916 issue of the Stillwater Messenger, there is an announcement of new ownership. “The Hilltop moving picture house,” the article read, “will be re-opened immediately under new management. The new manager’s name is Samuel Carlson and he is a gentleman who has a wide experience in the moving picture business and knows how to cater to moving picture patrons.”

There also seemed to be a major problem to the theater when it was constructed according to the article. “Mr. Carlson states that the main drawback to the theatre, the lack of heat, has been remedied by the installation of a number of more radiators, and that the theatre will now be found warm and comfortable.” Carlson’s wife Pearl and daughter Ethel served as assistant managers at the theater.

By 1919, the ownership had changed again, this time the manager at the Hilltop was Fred W. Boll. Boll was the owner of BWF Amusement Enterprises and that company owned the Hilltop and the Majestic Theater on South Main Street.

The Hilltop remained in operation until 1924 when Barney Gunderson shutdown the theater and opened the Gunderson New Garage. Gunderson was an “Expert” in mechanical and electrical service and the “exclusive dealer in Gardner and REO Cars.” This is when the building became associated with automobiles in which it still is today.

Gunderson didn’t last very long. In 1927 Charles H. Peterson had the building and his business was the Stillwater Nash Garage, and later called Peterson Motors. Peterson would continue business in the building until the late 1950s when his manager, Edward A. Buege took over. In 1960, the Browning Motor Company owned by R.W. Browning operated out of there, and then Darrel Thibodeau started the St. Croix Body Works. Johnson Plumbing, owned by Wm. L. Wendt, operated out of 114 West Churchill for a short time in the mid to late 1960s. Willard Cote purchased the St. Croix Body Works around 1970 and spent the next 15 or 20 years making his living out of the old theater.

Back during its theater days many of the well-known silent films would be shown. There was also a place in the front for a piano so that music could be played that would follow the action on the screen. Cost to see a moving picture was only 5 to 10 cents. Some of the films that were shown at the Hilltop were “A Woman’s Honor” which was a four reel feature, “Alias Holland Jimmy” a two reel special, “The Feud” with Tom Mix, a 1921 Sunday Matinee was “Lessons in Love” with Constance Talmadge.

There were also serials that played. These were short movies that came in 15 to 20 parts. The serials would be printed in the weekly newspapers and the public could then bring in the written version and follow along on screen. In 1916, the Hilltop presented “The Girl and the Game” which was the story of mountain railroad life and billed as the “Greatest Serial of the day.”

Today the smell of truck exhaust fills the air near 114 West Churchill Street, but back in the early part of the 20th century, the smell of popcorn and the sound of piano music came from this plain, brick building.

A Joke I Actually Laughed At!

As I mentioned in the Editor’s Note, it’s not surprising in the least to come across a joke or two in these old newspapers. Turns out that when you put more than a hundred years of pop-culture inbetween a gag’s delivery and it’s reception some of the humor is lost to time. What is surprising is that when I read this one, I actually chuckled! Hopefully a few of you out there will enjoy this as much as I did.

“He Was On the White List” – Stillwater Messenger – September 23, 1911

A Frenchman bought a house in the country, and had hardly settled there when the local band called and asked for his subscription to its funds. He put his name down for contribution, which as he undestood, entitled him to be serenaded on Sundays. Sundays came and went. The band played at various houses, but never at his. Finally, the London Telegraph says, the band called, not to play, but to collect the donor’s subscription. He said: “But you have never played to me.” The bandmaster looked surprised. “What does monsieur think of us? Does he suppose that if we had played we should ask him for money? Monsieur evidently does not know our band. Monsieur, having promised a generous contribution, is on our white list, that of the supporters whom we spare.”

A Frontier Letter

from Washington: A History of the Minnesota County, Anna Enquist, Louise Johnson, Sue Collins, Gail Seifert, Betty Roney

Afton, Washington Co., May 16, 1857

Dear Wife,

After I wrote you at Prescott, I went home with one Mr. Getchell 12 miles over the prairie, arrived at his house just at sundown Sunday eve. Getchell and Brothers own one mile square prairie and timber, 80 acres under cultivation.

Last Monday, I went to work on the farm plowing and harrowing. Got a very good idea of prairie farming, he has sowed 50 acres and is going to sow and plant 30 acres more. He has 15 acres spring wheat sowed. He has about 100 bushels of wheat on hand. Looks about as plump as York State winter wheat, has 200 bushels potatoes. I ate of them, the best I’ve ate this year. Had corn, and other grain in abundance, I fared better there than I have at any other place since I left Steuben and that’s saying a great deal.

Tuesday I came over here and engaged in the lumber business with James Getchell who lives in this town. Do not know how long I shall remain her. Labor of every kind seems to be in good demand. This a new town has one hotel (where I am now boarding) one steam saw mill and more going up immediately. This is a great town can’t say as it will compare with the country around the stream of which Burns sung however they have got some splendid trout streams in this place.

As I have an opportunity to send this by a gentleman that is going directly to Hudson I must necessarily hurry. I shall have the same gent enquire if there is any letters there from you. I think I shall go up there myself next week. Have seen or heard of Ace but conclude he is still Hudson which is only 3 miles on the opposite side of the lake. My lumbering business is all in the St. Croix Lake. They say letters are often several weeks coming or going to and from Eastern states so I concluded that I would not get one from you before next week some time if I did as soon. I will wrote you again tomorrow (Sunday) and give more particulars.

You must collect enough of Theodore to keep along till I can send you some money. I think he will sent you it when ever you let him know that you want it. It is now due.

Game is very plenty here but I have not taken time to fish or hunt since I came here, have seen three deer at time two or three times within rifle shot and plenty of Prairie Hens Plover Ducks. W. Getchell caught a fine string of brook trout in brook that runs across his farm that day that I was there Monday. We had them for breakfast Tuesday morn before I came over here. I sent Mary a Minnesota newspaper the other day. I will send you more immediately. The mail leaves here only once a week (Tuesday). I have been so tired and busy I have not written to any body but you for several days. Should be glad to hear from you tonight but must bide the mail.

The weather has been tolerable cold since I’ve been here and I suppose it has nearly every where else. We have had however two or three comfortably warm days. The oak trees have not yet leaved out but they are budding nicely. Cattle begin to get a mess of grass. Wild plums and cranberries are abundant in this country and good substitute for apples which they do not have.

St. Paul is about 18 miles from Afton by wagon road about 30 by lake and river. From what I can learn of this territory and I have taken a good deal of pains to do so. Minneapolis and St. Anthony are the finest towns in this Territory with a splendid country of land surrounding them. I mean to go up there in a few weeks perhaps within a week however I may work about here all the season. I do not think it practicable for me to encourage you to come yet. I want to learn more about the country.

They break up prairie here in the summer months generally and if I can succeed in getting a piece of land which I think I can if I have my health. I can get it ready perhaps by next fall. I think this is a fine land as I ever saw. They saw garden vegetables grow very large and very quick after they once started the gardens. I’ve seen them black as those of NY State that have been manured for years. Any of the good prairie or oak openings are rich enough for gardens as soon as they are subdued.

The river and lake is the highest it has been for 15 years except last spring but is gradually falling. Millions of saw logs are floating loose on the lake. They cut them on the rivers that flow into the lake and float down. Every log is marked by the man that owns it before he lets it drift. One man or general agent sees to picking them up and rafting them getting them into booms and to saw mills. Experienced hands get from 3 to 5 dollars per day for that kind of work, that is what I have been engaged in this week. Whether I shall work at much more can not be known at present but will let you in due time.

Tell Jennie and Lib that the wild plum trees are so low that they could stand on the ground and pick them off. They grow from three to eight feet high with busy tops their plumbs are said to very excellent.

Your most devoted husband,

Joe Shaw

I will write you again in a day or two. Write often perhaps some of them will come if not all. You know not how anxious I am to hear from You.

Raiding the Fridge

Alright, we got a little heavy there with murdered bank cashiers and grisly post-mortem photography. Let’s cleanse our paletes with a slightly more light-hearted tale…although this will include a bit of criminal activity as well.

A Robber of Ice Boxes – Stillwater Messenger – September 9, 1905

John Currie, who lives with a widowed mother at 1218 Sixth Ave. South, was arrested by policeman Maher last Friday night while in the act of robbing the refrigerator at the residence of W. H. Caldwell. It was the third time within a couple of weeks that this same refrigerator had been robbed of its contents. Currie is a young man, aged 22 years and has been employed in the printing offices of this city. He pleaded guilty of petit larceny and was sentenced to 90 days in the county jail.

Set-Set-Set Hike! Football in Stillwater

by Brent Peterson

To go into the history of football in Stillwater, we should visit some of the high school’s championship clubs that have played on the gridiron in this city.

One of the most powerful football clubs in Stillwater High School history would have to be the 1943 team coached by Leo A. Rorman with Assistant Coach Phil Belfiori. In that year, the team went undefeated [7-0] and outscored the other clubs 192 to 13. If there were state championship that year surely Stillwater would have captured the trophy.

In 1971, playoffs were started for the state high school football champions. In 1975, four years after the playoff system was started and also just four years after George Thole became the high school football coach, the Stillwater Ponies found themselves playing Richfield for the State Class AA Championship.

The game was played on a cool Friday night in November at Parade Stadium in St. Paul. Both teams had extremely good years and were both undefeated entering the championship game. There were 14,000 fans on hand, and at that time it set a single-game playoff attendance record.

The game was hard fought and the scoring took place not only on the passing game but also on the ground. The quarterback for Stillwater was Mike Nolan. He completed only six passes in the game but they were good for 124 yards. His main target through the air was Bob de St. Aubin who caught five of those passes for 97 yards, which included the winning touchdown with 18 seconds left in the game.

Todd Butterfield and Terry Richert kept Stillwater moving on the ground. Richert scored a touchdown on a four yard run and de St. Aubin scored earlier on a 42-yard pass from Nolan. Richfield had scored on a Mike Connelly seven yard run a 56-yard pass play from Joe Smith to Mike Voelker and then Dave Larson added a 30-yard field goal.

With the score 17-13, the Stillwater Ponies drive 77-yards with the last play being the short pass to de St. Aubin for the touchdown. After the game, coach Thole said “we played a real worth opponent in Richfield. I know that. Our defense just rose up and stuck it to them in the second and third quarters. We shut down their running game.”

Since 1975 George Thole had led the Stillwater High School Football Team into the championship game several more times, winning some and losing some. As we watch this year’s squad get set to start a new era in the football teams history, let us not forget the history of champions that have been given to us.