From the Mascot Files

100 Years Ago
(July 21, 1922)

Boy narrowly escapes
fire at Ed Muhl farm
The dwelling home on the Ed Muhl farm in Nordland Township was destroyed by fire about midnight last Friday night. The family, with the exception of one boy, was away from home at the time of the fire. This boy was asleep when the fire broke out and, it is said, narrowly escaped being suffocated.

Benson get surprise
anniversary party
Mr. and Mrs. Hall Benson were pleasantly surprised last Friday evening when over 100 of their relatives gathered at their home to remind them of their 25th wedding anniversary. The affair was put on by the Benson children and other near relatives.

Two re-elected to
school board here
At the school board election held in Minneota last Saturday, there were 132 votes cast. T.P. Culshaw and E.J. Hinderlie were both re-elected as members of the school board.

75 Years Ago
(July 25, 1947)

Farmers report corn
better after late start
While only a few farmers in this community had done any harvesting this week, indications are that the small grain yield will be greater than had been expected earlier in the season, although it will be far below normal. It was reported that some farmers had already begun harvesting barley and rye and that the yield of these two crops was not too good. The oats crop will be very poor this year, according to predictions, and farmers expect flax and wheat will be by far the best grain crop. Corn, which made rapid strides during the hot days last week, is still far behind schedule.

Child injured after
falling from car
Jon Hall, seven-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. W.A. Roberg, was cut and bruised about the head and received a gash on the left side of his body when he fell from the back seat of the car that his grandfather, H.J. Tillemans, was driving Tuesday afternoon. The accident occurred on a gravel road east of Ivanhoe. It is now known how the rear door of the car became unlatched. The lad flew out of the car and landed in a pile of gravel alongside the road.

Vandals kill hog
valued at $100
A hog belonging to the Finnegan Brothers valued at $100, was found dead in the pasture at the farm a half mile southwest of Minneota Monday afternoon, killed by a bullet fired from a rifle. The was killed either Saturday or Sunday and it is believed that young boys, who had been seen carrying rifles along the creek, were responsible for the animal's death.

Progress reported for
new Legion building
Workmen were finishing making forms for the Legion building here Thursday morning and it was expected that concrete would be poured into these Friday. Excavation work was completed on the basement last week. Trenches for sewer and water pipes have also been dug.

50 Years Ago
(July 20, 1972)

Big Store closing
sale begins July 25
The Big Store announces that it is staging a closing business sale beginning Tuesday, July 25. It is presumed that the Minneota firm, in business here since 1897, will close its doors after the sale has been completed. The firm was incorporated in 1903 as a general merchandise and grocery selling venture and has been in the main building, which it occupies, since 1901. The smaller addition to the north was erected in 1916. Founders of the firm were the late S.A. and O.G. Anderson. When O.G. died, his sons G.A. and Carl Anderson ran the business.

Ghent farmer dies
after being electrocuted
John Joseph Jennen, a 56-year-old farmer from the Ghent area, was electrocuted last Saturday when he was working about the farm yard. The accident happened on a farm on which the Jennens had lived for many years, about three miles west of Ghent. After the accident occurred, Jennen was taken to the hospital in Marshall, where he was pronounced dead.

34 farmers come to
aid of injured friend
A total of 34 area farmers and some of their children have been helping Odilo VanDeelen with his work and chores during recent weeks. VanDeelen was injured in a one-truck crash north of Taunton in June and unable to work. M-G-T Coop Oil Company donated fuel for all the tractors.

25 Years Ago
(July 23, 1997)

Taunton livens up
for West End Days
The Taunton community is preparing for the second annual West End Days on Saturday, July 26. The action takes place at the West End Bar, and involves games for both the young and old, good food and dancing under the stars. A volleyball tournament and a horseshoe tournament will kick off the event. Roxbury Drive will provide music.

Ghent to celebrate
45th annual B-A Days
The 45th annual Belgian-American Days in Ghent is slated for Aug. 1-3 this year. Five candidates are vying for the title of queen. They are Tena Head, Mercy Hill, Nancy Loyson, Julie Thostenson and Brianne Wignes. Coronation will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2. Little Miss Ghent candidates this year are Samantha Gladis, Ashley Gruhot, Kayla Hennen, Sejourney LeClaire and Brianna McNeil.

Kompelien wins Open
Golf Tournament again
Wayne Kompelien won the Countryside Golf Club's Open Tournament by six strokes on July 19 and 20. It was the third time Kompelien has won the tournament. Kompelien shot 100 for 27 holes in the Championship Flight. Tony Krocheck was second with a 106, Galen Skramstad third with 108, Jesse Larson fourth with 109, and Jim Christianson fifth with 110. A total of 97 golfers competed in nine different flights.