From the Mascot Files: 100, 75, 50 or 25 Years Ago
100 Years Ago
Sept. 14, 1920
Large Pickerel Hooked
Andrew Berg caught a pickerel weighing 11 pounds, 12 ounces out of the Yellow Medicine River. We have not heard of a larger pickerel being caught in this locality. Anyone desiring to enter a counter claim against this record of Andrew's is invited to file the evidence for his claim in the Mascot office. Of course, we prefer to have all contestants file the particular fish upon which they base their claim.
Two-Sided Topic
Representative Gislason delivered a speech against the Babcock road system near Lake Benton. A few days later, Rep. Gislason delivered a rousing speech for the Babcock road system near Minneota. People were angered to learn that Gislason spoke out both for and against the road system. A closer look, however, found that the man who spoke in one place was Rep. C.M. Gislason while the man who spoke in another place was J.B. Gislason. Even in these "dry" days, people do seem to get their drinks mixed up, much to the annoyance of the politicians.
Fire Destroys Property
Ernest Magnuson suffered the loss of his barn, some hay and his automobile when a fire destroyed his property. The fire was discovered about 1:30 a.m. by Mr. Magnuson, who immediately gave the alarm and then proceeded to get his horses and cows out of the burning barn. He had a narrow escape from injuries when accomplishing this, but did finally succeed in getting the stock out. He then turned his attention to the car which was in a shed on the north side of the barn. There was fire all around the car so he could not get in to start it, and was unable to pull it out. When the fire company arrived, there was nothing that could be saved. The insurance on the barn was $200, but the loss is probably more than twice that amount.
75 Years Ago
Sept. 7, 1945
Swanson Released
from Japanese Prison
Mrs. John Swanson received word that her son, Dorsey Guy Swanson, who was on the U.S.S. Houston when it was sunk shortly after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, has been released from a Japanese prison camp in Thailand. The telegram Mrs. Swanson received was from the U.S. Navy Department and stated that Dorsey had arrived in Calcutta.
Decorated veterans return
Discharged service men arrived back home the past few days and bring with them impressive service records, as well as a number of high awards for achievements in the line of duty. They include: Cyriel VanWatermulen, awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon with 4 Battle Stars; Stanley Helgeson, Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon with 4 Battle Stars, unit-awarded Presidential Citation, Pre-Pearl Harbor Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal; Raymond Swedzinski, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 2 Clusters, Purple Heart, ETO Ribbon with 5 Battle Stars, unit-awarded Presidential Citation; Earl Kompelien, Pre-Pearl Harbor Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon with 3 Battle Stars, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal; and Edward Balle, ETO Ribbon with 3 Battle Stars.
Local 4-H Winners
The following won 4-H Club championships at the Lyon County Fair: Clothing, Suzetta Sanders; Canning, Lorraine Bottelberghe; Showmanship (Pork), Kermit Skaar. The following were awarded trips to the Junior Livestock Show based on their exhibits: Poultry, David Josephson; Beef, Leo Moorse and Lawrence Regnier; Pork, Wayne Glasser. In the 4-H Livestock Division, Leo Moorse took first place with a steer weighing over 1,000 pounds. Skaar took first place with a purebred gilt, while Glasser was first with a fat barrow.
50 Years Ago
Sept. 10, 1970
15,000 Hens Destroyed
by Fire SW of Minneota
A morning fire, believed to have started in electrical wiring, completely destroyed a 72 x 160 laying house, 15,000 hens, a feed mill used to prepare feed for chickens, equipment and a large quantity of feed on the Clifford Jeremiason farm southwest of Minneota. Estimated cost of the property that was destroyed was $60,000. The blaze was undoubtedly the most spectacular and probably the most costly farm fire that the local farming community has ever had.
New Vega on Display
Dero Chevrolet Company of Minneota announced that it will be showing the new Vega in its showroom this week. This, says Chevrolet advertising, is "the little car that does everything well".
Big Store Specials
The Big Store advertised several specials this week, including three dozen oranges for $1, Windex for 41 cents, Dinty Moore stew for 63 cents, and turtle neck or long sleeve knit tops for $2.98.
Vikings Open With Win
The Minneota Vikings football team opened the 1970 season with an 18-7 win over Fulda. With the forward pass their best offensive weapon, the Vikings scored touchdowns in the first, second and fourth quarters. The first came on a 35-yard pass from Chuck Dalager to Ken Byrne, the second was a pass from Dalager to Byrne for 11 yards, and the third was a 15-yard run by Doug Spanton. Dalager completed five of six passes, all to Byrne, for 108 yards.
25 Years Ago
Sept. 6, 1995
Origami Artist to
Come to Bug Days
Paul Klenk of Minneapolis has made a commitment to come to Boxelder Bug Days. And he is bringing an unusual art with him. Mr. Klenk is an origami artist who is talented in the art of folding paper into various forms. He intends to create a giant Boxelder Bug right before our eyes. He will also be creating items that will be used for door prizes at the Bill Holm Variety Show.
St. Edward School
Opens to 140 Students
St. Edward Catholic School of Minneota opened with 140 students this week. Reverend Gerald Hillesheim is the Pastor of St. Edward Parish. Carol DeSmet is the Principal. The students will be taught bus safety and practice bus evacuation the first week of school. They will also be organizing a float in the Boxelder Bug Days parade.
Food Available for
Boxelder Bug Days
There will be plenty of food options available during Boxelder Bug Days from local organizers. The following are groups that will be selling food and beverages: Senior Citizens (BBQs, potato salad, coleslaw, pie, ice cream, coffee, pop); Joan of Arc (Burgers, hot dogs, chips, pop, candy); Minneota Lions (Roast beef sandwiches, chips, pop); Minneota Jaycees (Hamburgers, brats, chips, onion rings, french fries, popcorn, pop, beer garden); Hope Luther League (Whopper Feed); Women of Today (Hot dogs, chili dogs, supreme nachos, chips, ice cream, pop); Minneota Boy Scouts (Brats, 1919 root beer).