mower history scribemowercountyhistory.org/pdfs/mchs fall 2013-1.pdf · colette chaffee susan logas...
TRANSCRIPT
SCRIBE Want to help make
Christmas in the County a
success?
Here is how you can help us make
Christmas in the County successful:
Donate baked goods to sell on
the bake sale
Donate items for the silent
auction or make a auction
basket
Assist during the event at one of
the stations
Assist volunteers and staff with
decorating for the event
If you’d like to help with Christmas
in the County, please contact us
at (507) 437-6082.
In This Issue
A Debt of Gratitude p.2
An American Sport p. 6
The Collections Care
Corner p.8
Preserving Memories
p.10
World War II in Mower
County p.11
Kids lined up at the Fall Harvest Celebration to make a scarecrow puppet to take home. Despite the weather, many people came out to celebrate the harvest season with us.
Christmas in the County to take place December 14! What is more fun than taking a sleigh ride in the snow, getting some Christmas
shopping done, and completing your holiday baking? Well...nothing! Come to the
Christmas in the County celebration at the Mower County Historical Society to do
all of that. This year’s festivities will take place on December 13 and 14.
As always, the Pre-Sale Bake Sale will be held on Friday, December 13 to get
your holiday baking completed in plenty of time. A change this year is that is
extended by 1 hour! The bake sale will begin at 3 PM and go until 6 PM.
Bring the family back on Saturday, December 14 to enjoy a wide variety of
activities. Take a ride in the snow with our horse and mule teams, make a new
Christmas ornament to hang on the tree, bid on a wide variety of baskets and
items at the silent auction, get a raffle ticket to win a fabulous prize, or enjoy a hot
cup of chili.
Get in the Christmas spirit at the Mower County Historical Society this December!
Thank you to those members who renewed their membership and
welcome to our new members!
Mower County Historical Society Newsletter Fall 2013
MOWER HISTORY
2 Mower History Scribe
Mower County Historical Society Board of Directors
Garry Ellingson, President
Glenn Medgaarden,
Vice President
Pat Kitchings, Secretary
Diana Witt, Treasurer
Miguel Garate
Don Konken
Jackie Holst
Terry Donovan
Royce Helmbrecht
Ardis Jensen
Board meetings this quarter will
be on October 1, November 5,
and December 3. All meetings
begin at 7 PM unless otherwise
noted.
Staff and interns from Hormel Foods Corporation helped out in July to get the buildings ready for the Fair. We are very appreciative of their efforts to tackle this big task!
Mower County Historical Society Staff
Dustin Heckman,
Executive Director
Sue Doocy,
Research & Archives Manager
Jaimie Timm, Curator
collections
@mowercountyhistory.org
John Morgan,
Museum Assistant from
Experience Works
A Debt of Gratitude It’s two words that can’t be said enough: Thank you!
The last few months have really shown the genuine caring spirit of people who
want to help the historical society succeed. People play a little part where they
can to help keep the wheels moving and progress going forward. You never know
how good you have it until you see it play out in front of your eyes.
First of all, we have the Hormel Foods Corporation. Starting in 2012, the company
has made it an annual event to bring their interns out to our site to assist with the
cleaning of buildings ahead of the Mower County Fair. As one can expect this is a
big operation. In past years, we’ve worked to spread the cleaning and prep work
out over a few weeks leading up to the fair. Now we can get it done all in a couple
of hours with the help of the Hormel interns. This has been a tremendous help for
us to get ready for our biggest event of the year.
Next, the AMAZING volunteer base that we have here at the historical society. It
never ceases to amaze me. With a week to go before the Fair, I was getting
worried. We had many holes to fill especially on the weekend. But our volunteers
and members stepped forward to fill the gaps above and beyond what they had
originally committed. Every shift was filled and we were able to open all of our
buildings to the public during Fair Week.
Lastly, the family here at the historical society. Yes you read that right...family.
For five years, I’ve gotten to build an extended family here at the historical society.
This year has definitely been filled with ups and downs. Like all families we
celebrate little wins together and other days we don’t see eye to eye. But we’ve
gotten through it together. There have been many people that I’ve gotten to meet
along this journey and I’m sure a few more in the years to come.
Three members of our family will move on in December from their official
capacities. Diana Witt has served as our Treasurer since 2008. She is always (Continued on page 4)
Summer 2013 3
Upcoming
Events
October 17 2 PM
“Preserving Memories”
presentation at the
Mower County Senior
Center
November 7 6 PM
Annual Meeting at the
Hormel Historic Home
November 19 2 PM
“World War II in Mower
County” presentation at
the Mower County Senior
Center
November 28 & 29
Office Closed for
Thanksgiving
December 13 3 to 6 PM
Christmas in the County
Pre-Sale Bake Sale
December 14 3 to 7 PM
Christmas in the County
December 24 & 25
Office Closed for
Christmas
January 1, 2014
Office Closed for New
Year’s Day
Help Raise Funds for MCHS during the Great Minnesota Give Together on November 14 Once again, the Mower County Historical Society will be participating in Give to
the Max Day through GiveMN.org. This year’s event will take place on Thursday,
November 14. Just like in past years, those wanting to make a donation can go to
the GiveMN.org website and search for the “Mower County Historical Society”
then make a donation using their credit or debit card.
A big incentive is the opportunity for the historical society to win additional prizes
with the help of each donation. Every hour, one nonprofit and one school will be
chosen to win a $1,000 golden ticket prize. Additional prizes are given based on
overall donors and donations, power hour donations, and fundraising campaign
uniqueness.
Give to the Max Day begins at 12:01 AM and goes through midnight. All
donations will be recognized after the event. This year all funds will go towards
the general operations of the historical society.
If you would like more information on how Give to the Max Day works, please
contact Dustin.
@MowerCoHistory
Use #dighistory to tell
us how you dig
history!
4 Mower History Scribe
Thank you to
these donors!
Pat Kitchings
Neil & Mary Hanson
David Ebertz
Sarah Broadbent
Lillian Fetterly
Colette Chaffee
Susan Logas
Diana Tizard
Anonymous (total of 3)
Garry & Sharon Ellingson
Austin American Legion
Post #91
Dr. Dick & Belita
Schindler
Betty O’Brien
Jim & Linda Lind
Craig & Nancy Welken
Mayer Funeral Home
Mayo Clinic Health
Systems - Albert Lea &
Austin
Scott & Erin Felten
Jeanne Poppe
Ruth Collette
Jeffrey Frank
Ryan Lee
Kieth Eilertson
Pat Sorenson
Royce & Karen
Helmbrecht
Glenn & Judy
Medgaarden
Don & Leah Konken
Josie Cummings
Olivia’s Family
Restaurant
Accentra Credit Union
Holiday Cars of Austin
Artesian Fresh Inc.
Greg & Amy Baskin
Gene & Polly Jelinek
Casey’s General Store
Ivan & Mary Witt
(Continued on page 7)
quick with a smile and a friendly greeting. Garry Ellingson served as Vice
President from 2010 to 2012 and has served this year as President. He has been
known as our handyman when things need fixing around the site. Miguel Garate
has helped on the Special Events and Nominating Committees for six years. He
is always looking for ways to be more inclusive and get different cultural aspects
into the historical society. All three of them started on the board the year I was
hired. It is sad to see them go, but I’m sure we’ll still see them around.
Since the middle of August, the family here has been extremely helpful and caring
to me personally. My wife and I were trying to cruise through a “normal”
pregnancy when it became anything but normal. Lynn was hospitalized and that
meant, I had to be away for an extended period of time. My co-workers stepped
right in to fill the gaps, including helping me write two grants and get them
submitted on time. Board members and volunteers came to the office to see if
additional help was needed. After my daughter was born, the family helped out to
make the best of not so great circumstances. Cards, well wishes, and prayers
that helped us get through the bad days and celebrate the good days as well. For
that I am ever so thankful!
Gratitude is not always an easy thing to learn. But it always starts with the same
two words: Thank you!
(Continued from page 2) A Debt of Gratitude
Frank Bridges poses for a photo with attendees from his Lunchbox History Series talk about the early history of theatre in Austin.
Summer 2013 5
Historical Society Wish List
Want to help the historical society
out? We have a few items on our
wish list that use a lot or need for a
special project or event.
Office Supplies
8 1/2 x 11 paper
11 x 17 paper
Paper clips
Stamps
Cleaning Supplies
Microfiber clothes
Tall kitchen garbage bags
Large garbage bags
Bathroom cleaning supplies
Christmas in the County
LED Christmas lights (interior and
exterior)
LED Lawn decorations
LED Hanging decorations
Extension cords
Multi-plug adapter
Interior Christmas decorations
Silent auction baskets & items
Big Ticket Items
Cordless power drill
Visitors perused the Minnesota Homefront traveling exhibit during Fair Week. The historical society had a record year for attendance during the 2013 Mower County Fair!
Membership Dues Change for 2014 Starting in January 2014, membership dues will be due on a rolling basis.
Currently all dues are to be paid on January 1 of each year. With the change,
members can pay their dues in any month and their membership will be due the
1st of that month in the following year. This change is being made to allow
members to receive their full benefits for a whole calendar year.
An example of how this will work:
John and Jane Doe pay their family membership on March 15, 2014. The
membership will be due again on March 1, 2015.
Anyone who pays their membership during the remainder of 2013 will still be
subject to the current stipulation of their membership being good from January 1
to December 31. After January 1, it will move to the rolling basis.
If you have any questions on how this change will work, please contact Dustin for
more details.
6 Mower History Scribe
An American Sport by Sue Doocy, Research & Archives Manager
The All-American sport of football has been around for over 100 years, and it was
accepted in Mower County just like any other village in America, with gusto and
excitement of a new challenge. Who could win a game of brute strength and
strategy.
At first, college games in Duluth and Chicago were noted in the Austin Daily
Herald along with people campaigning against the brutal sport, working to abolish
the game with anti-football bills and attempting to place football in the same
category as prizefighting in 1896. Then in December 1896, the Herald explained
that the football field was called a gridiron because of its shape and markings, not
because the game often ended in a broil, and explained some of the rules.
The Herald announced in November 1898, that Austin High School Football
Eleven traveled by train to Osage, Iowa and then won the game. The editor
encouraged people to support the team by welcoming the team home and by
attending the next game against Osage on Thanksgiving Day, in which he
promised it to be “one of the hottest games in Southern Minnesota”.
On September 30, 1902, injuries suffered in football games were treated at home
as was the case when Edward Bertram and John Gilligan collided and Gilligan
was taken home with a broken leg. Drs. Knight and Macreklein made a house call
and provided medical attention.
An inaudible cringe appeared in the Herald on October 18, 1902 as it reported that
the Mason City team weighed an average 176 pounds and one player weighed
250 alone, compared with Austin’s team average of 145 pounds.
Criticizing football officials is not new to the game, and officials were publicly
scolded by the Herald reporter on November 3, 1902, after Austin High School
team was “unjustly treated” by the officials and Rochester people. The reporter
stated that one Rochester player, the officials and Rochester fans wanted to win
by any means possible and “conducted themselves on a plan too low to be worthy
of being called by any such name”. With a score of 5 – 0, the reporter praised the
Austin team, aside from their treatment, they played a fair and good game on their
part.
(Continued on page 7)
The Question of Citizenship There was a time, between 1906-1922 that if an American woman married a foreigner she lost her citizenship. And when other women gained the right to vote in 1920 she had to wait until 1940 when Congress repatriated women’s citizenship rights. She may have regained citizenship if her husband became a naturalized citizen or she became a widow. But if she lived abroad in her husband’s country for five years, it was assumed that she had renounced her citizenship.
This in a sense kept many people from becoming citizens because of other issues.
On the flip side, an American man who married a foreigner did not lose his citizenship, and his wife became a citizen, providing that she might be lawfully naturalized and was able to vote in 1920.
The following websites give more information about citizenship and varying degrees of becoming or staying a U.S. citizen.
U.S. Department of State Foreign Affairs Manual
http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/104346.pdf
National Archives
http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/1998/summer/women-and-naturalization-1.html
Grand Meadow Football Team early team circa 1940s
Summer 2013 7
Austin High School football team played in October 1908 on Corbit Field against
Spring Valley.
On November 13, 1911, the Herald reported Grand Meadow played football
against Cy Thomson’s Sunday School Class and beat their opponent 5 to 0. Of
course, the Grand Meadow players outweighed Cy’s boys by 115 pounds. The
reporter added that Cy’s team spent the night in the homes of the boys of the
Congregational Church and both teams attended church services in the morning
and evening.
In September 1925, Grand Meadow Coach Russell Hall was optimistic of a
successful football season, providing that infantile paralysis or better known as
polio cases did not increase. Grand Meadow went on to win 7 straight games in a
row that season with 230 total points, surpassing state high school records. And
just a few years later Coach Lutter found a way for Elkton High School to enjoy the
sport and lined up a six-man team in October 1938.
Mower County men who played football in high school went on to play for the
Spring Valley Oilers semi-pro team in the 1930s and were considered “one of the
most feared football teams in the state”. One player, “Red” Berg would take the
snap from the center, run the wrong way confusing the other team and then, spin
around and fire the ball for an 80-yard pass. He would have gone to college but
the money he saved was lost when the banks closed.
Research is not complete as to how many area teams enjoyed a great string of
victories like the Grand Meadow football teams of 1958 to 1967 that went
undefeated for a remarkable 10 year stretch.
Mower County men have gone on to play college and professional football. John
Madden, who was born in Austin, spent a lifetime playing and talking football,
college ball, joining the Oakland Raiders and then coach and commentator.
Austin High School graduate Dave Simonson played for the NFL from 1974 to
1977. St. Augustine (renamed in 1957 to Pacelli) graduate Richard Cotter played
for Notre Dame 1948-1950. Grand Meadow graduate Duane Benson played for
Hamline University and pro teams from 1967 to 1975.
Today, Mower County football players, like generations before, are looking to
make their own mark in football history, by brute strength, skill and strategy in a
game that is sure to be around for another 100 years.
(Continued from page 6) An American Sport
In memory of Helen
Garbisch - Bill
Schlichting
In memory of Richard
Scheffel - Chris & Cathy
Roser
In Remembrance
of Those
Members Who
Passed On
Marjorie Mudra
Christmas lights
will go live
Thanksgiving
weekend! Drive
through the
fairgrounds to
enjoy the
decorations put
together by our
volunteers!
8 Mower History Scribe
The Collections Care Corner: Ready for Fall by Jaimie Timm, Curator
The fall-like weather of the past few days has me in the mood for cooler temps, scarves and sweatshirts, and drinking lots of hot coffee! Of course, the change in season also means that there is much to do in order to get the buildings and the collection ready for fall. I’ve been really busy this past summer with exhibits and programs, so its time to dive back in and focus more on the collection. Here’s what I’m getting ready to work on –
The end of September means the end of tour season. We had a great time with our tour groups this past spring and summer, but its time to give our exhibits a break. Even museum exhibits need a rest now and then! I’m going to be trying something new this fall and “close” each building in the next few weeks. This means that I’ll give every exhibit a thorough cleaning (according to museum best practices and standards), try to identify those objects that I think are especially “at risk” and may need special attention in the future, look for pests or insects that may have found their way inside, and just generally keep an eye out for any potential problems in the buildings. This also gives me the chance to evaluate each and every space – are we using it to its fullest potential? Does this exhibit need a little facelift? I want to be sure that we are using each of our buildings in the most efficient way possible to provide great exhibits for our visitors and still be able to store all of our collection so that we can protect and preserve the objects.
In preparation for the new exhibit next summer, I’m evaluating all of our “military” items in the collection. We have many military items that were donated throughout the years with very little information. This makes it challenging to use these pieces in exhibits or displays. Through my research, I’m trying to find out who used it, if it has a connection to Mower County, and then estimating available storage space. I may even get the chance to “re-house” some items in new acid free storage boxes by the end of the year!
I’m continuing to meet with the Collections and Exhibits Committee. As a group, we’re always looking for new exhibit ideas that might be interesting, ways to improve current displays, and fill gaps in our collection. One of our main projects for the fall and winter is going to be
(Continued on page 9)
Dr. Tracy Barber’s Medical Bag & Instruments An MCHS Collections Spotlight
Dr. Barber earned his medical degree in 1943 while he was serving in the Navy during World War II. Shortly after the war, Dr. Barber came to Austin to work for the Hormel Company. He began as a doctor in the clinic at the plant in 1948 but became the Company Medical Director in 1952. Then, in 1960, Dr. Tracey Barber became the Corporate Medical Director until his retirement in 1973. Dr. Barber’s medical bag, instruments, and photographs tell the story of a man who made an impact at Hormel – he discovered a special strain of pneumonia that circulated through many workers, and attended Jay C. Hormel when he passed away. Dr. Barber worked at a time when medicine was advancing, but still very different from what we know today. I look forward to studying this fascinating collection more in the future.
Dr. Tracy Barber in his Hormel
office
The Schoolhouse hasn’t changed much in the last few years. Every few years, it
needs a little updating and “sprucing up”.
Summer 2013 9
Thank you to those members who renewed their membership and welcome to our new
members!
Paul & Kris Olson
Hoversten, Johnson,
Beckman & Hovey, LLP
David Gerlach
Karen Mattson
John & Mary Nystrom
Lois Van Denover
Wagner Construction Co.
Fox Electric
R&S Grain Systems
Thomas & Barbara Laska
Freeborn County Co-op
Oil Co.
Marian Vaughan
Studio Ten Design
M&H Tent Rentals
Austin Area Amateur
Radio Club
Greg & Amy Baskin
Weldon Johnson
Ankeny’s Mini Mart #5
Acme Bail Bonds LLC
Grand Meadow Lions
Club
Terry Donovan
Pete & Kari Werner
Karen Kendall
Central Valley
Cooperative
Mantorville Seed
Lee Sackett Inc.
Dan & Sue Franklin
Jeanne Poppe
Scott Murphy
Harold Lechner
Cynthia Heimer
Lou’s Forever Framing
Barbara Corbin
Linda Gallaher
Peter Handke
Holiday Inn of Austin
(Continued on page 11)
Just a small fraction of our military items are on exhibit in the Headquarters Building. I
wonder what stories will be discovered hiding in storage with the rest of our collection?
looking at what kinds of objects we have and what kinds of objects that we are missing. Right now, we know that most of our objects are from before World War II. But Mower County didn’t stop living after the war. That’s almost 70 years of history and stories that aren’t represented in our collection. The committee will look for ways to fix these “gaps” in the collection.
Finally, I’m trying to update the display in the Excelsior Schoolhouse. Nothing major, but I’d like to freshen it up a bit and add some real stories from schools in Mower County. I have most of the research done and I learned a lot about going to school in the 1800’s. I’m excited to add this new information to the school and hope that everyone finds it as interesting as I do!
Well, that’s a very quick list of some of the things I hope to accomplish in the next few months. We’re always looking for volunteers to help in the Collections and Exhibits Department – if any of these projects sound interesting to you, please contact me at the historical society!
(Continued from page 8) Ready for Fall
Find out the latest event information and
see photos from our events.
You may even get in on a special Dig
History promotion!
10 Mower History Scribe
Preserving Memories Mower County Senior Center
Thursday, October 17 at 2 PM
Have you ever wondered what you can do to save your family heirlooms? What about those family albums collecting dust in the attic or mold in the basement? Join us at the Mower County Senior Center on Thursday, October 17 at 2:00 p.m. to learn what you can do to save the items that mean the most to you. Mower County Historical Society Curator, Jaimie Timm, will talk about the common “threats” and easy solutions to help preserve your memories. You might be surprised at the things that most threaten your treasured possessions, but you can save your family treasures with a few simple steps – and you don’t have to live in a museum to take care of them!
Get Your Raffle Ticket! The historical staff and volunteers
are selling raffle tickets for our
Christmas in the County raffle!
Have your chance to win 1 of 19
prizes and know your money is
going to a great cause!
Tickets are $1 each and the
drawing will be held on Saturday,
December 14 at 6 PM.
Here are the list of prizes that you
could win:
1st prize: Handmade stretched
star quilt and 2 pillows
2nd prize: “Evening Reflections”
painting by Derk Hansen from the
First State Bank of Minnesota in
LeRoy
3rd prize: Processing for 1/2 hog
at Rose Creek Meat Market
4th prize: Gift certificate for a
complimentary suite at the Holiday
Inn of Austin
5th prize: Schlage Keypad
Deadbolt Lock from Viking Glass &
Lock
6th prize: Gift certificate for a
complimentary standard room at
the Holiday Inn of Austin (2
winners)
7th prize: $100 gift certificate to
the Old Mill Restaurant
8th prize: $50 gift certificate
towards a Car Spa Day at Holiday
Cars
9th prize: $50 Visa gift card from
Accentra Credit Union
10th prize: A pie of your choice
from Bubble’s Café in Adams (3
winners)
11th prize: $10 gift certificate to
Olivia’s Restaurant (4 winners)
12th prize: Gift card for a dozen
donuts from Casey’s (2 winners)
The above quilt and painting are the top two prizes in our raffle drawing at Christmas in the County. Get your tickets today for a chance to win some great prizes!
Summer 2013 11
In May, Harvey & Belva Fiala shared their World War II experiences with the historical
society staff. Join us on November 19 to share your story.
First State Bank of
Minnesota - LeRoy
Austin Power & Sport
We hope your
turkey is tasty….
Your blessings
are many…
And your new
year is joyous!
Thanks for a
great 2013!
(Continued from page 9)
World War II in Mower County
Mower County Senior Center
Thursday, November 19 at 2 PM
The temporary World War II exhibit may have come to an end, but the stories from Mower County during World War II continue! Mower County Historical Society Curator, Jaimie Timm, will be talking at the Senior Center about the war and sharing stories from the area. She may also give a special peek into the new World War II exhibit scheduled to open next summer. Do you have a story to share? Please come to the Senior Center for the presentation! We’re trying to collect as many personal stories as possible for the new exhibit – learn how you can share your story and how it will be preserved for future generations at the Mower County Historical Society. Put it on your calendar – we look forward to swapping stories with you!
Notice: Increase in Research Service
Fees Beginning January 1, 2014
Beginning January 1, 2014, there will be a small increase
for research performed by staff and in per copy charges.
The increase is to assist with costs to preserve research
materials, staff to perform research, and technology
needs. The new fee schedule is as follows:
For members:
25 cents per copy
$15 for the 1st hour of research (performed by staff)
$10 per hour for each additional hour (performed by staff)
For non-members:
35 cents per copy
$20 for the 1st hour of research (performed by staff)
$15 per hour for each additional hour (performed by staff)
Contact Us
To learn more about
Mower County’s history
and our programs,
please feel free to
contact us.
Mower County
Historical Society
1303 6th Ave. SW
Austin, MN 55912
(507) 437-6082
info@mowercounty
history.org
Visit us on the web at
www.mowercounty
history.org
Have you renewed your membership for 2013? Check your label! Is your label highlighted? This means that we haven’t received your 2013
membership renewal! Please renew your membership today.
Benefits for all membership levels include subscription to our quarterly newsletter,
enrollment in the Time Travelers program, a vote at the Annual Meeting in
November, free tour admission for membership holders, reduced fees for research
services, and free or reduced admission for programs and workshops.
Fill out the membership form enclosed in this newsletter to renew today.
Invite friends to become members A great way to help preserve the history of Mower County and grow the efforts of
the Mower County Historical Society is to invite friends, family, and neighbors to
become members. Share our newsletter or membership forms with them. You
could even buy a gift membership for them! Help us expand the reach of the
Mower County Historical Society.
Mower County Historical Society
1303 6th Ave. SW
Austin, MN 55912
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE PAID AUSTIN, MINNESOTA
PERMIT NO. 150
Preserving today for tomorrow’s history
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED