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Home My WebLink About2015-05-12 PACKET 08.A.=� HISTORICAL WHISPERINGS —Washington County'Y- _ Historical Society ' 4 .71 Volume 42, Issue 1 Washington County, Minnesota April 2015 Rising Above the Floodwaters: By Brent T. Peterson, Executive Director In the spring of 1965 Minnesota and Wisconsin river com- munities faced an onslaught of water as heavy rains falling on still -frozen ground and abnormally late snowmelt un- leashed record floods in the Upper Mississippi River and its tributaries, including the St. Croix River. Prescott, Wis., at the confluence of the St. Croix and Mississippi, was flooded by both rivers, which reached their- crests heircrests less than 24hoursapart. Large ice rafts were created In This Issue ... ... we review the epic flood of 1965 and its effect in the valley, and the fascinating history of some early settlers in Stillwater... plus, news of the organization and upcoming events. Executive Director's Report p. 2 Museum Events Report p. 4 Susan La Pointe's Story p. 6 2014 financial report P. 10 Calendar of summer events P. 11 50 Years Ago Washington County Communities Pulled Together to Save Their Towns The Flood of April 1965 stands as the flood of record for locations along the Upper Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers. A combination of unusually heavy snowfall, cold spring temperatures that prevented gradual runoff, and heavy rains in April caused the rivers to rise quickly. Undeterred, sone Afton residents did their shopping by boat in April 1965.11enry Pothen hands out groceries to boys in a rowboat. Photo from Ed Robb's Afton Remembered, courtesy of the Afton Historical Society. at the mouth of the St. Croix, backing up waters further, and a huge pack of ice threatened the Highway 12 interstate bridge at Hudson. Knowing the devastation that surely would occur, resi- dents of river communities worked together to build dikes and sandbag to protect their towns. Hardest hit were Still- water, Bayport, Lakeland, Hudson, St. Marys Point, Afton and Prescott on the St. Croix and Newport on the Mississip- pi. Many river communities in Minnesota and Wisconsin quickly built earthen dikes that could not hold back the vol- ume of water. The dikes at Mankato, North Mankato and Chaska gave way and the volunteers were ordered to higher ground after losing their battle with the river. Floodwaters from the Vermillion River at Hastings caught many residents by surprise the night of April 5; the Mississippi crest arrived at Hastings almost two weeks later, but caused less damage. Below St. Paul, the Mississippi River spread nearly a mile wide. FLOOD—Continued on page 6 From the Executive Director Board & Staff Spring is here! The winter months are coming to the end and the glorious springtime Washington County weather has descended upon Washington County, making the birds sing and the area Historical Society gyms hum with people trying to lose that winter cushion! The Historical Society has been humming all winter long under the blanket of Board white. New exhibits are being created and readied for the upcoming season as well as David Lindsey President a bit of maintenance here and there. All will be ready for both the Hay Lake School & Scott Foss Vice President Erickson Log House and the Warden's House Museum to again open to the waiting Joe One Recording Secretary public. Check out the columns by Sean and Dustyn on pages 3 and 4 to see what is Tom Simonet Treasurer new at their respective museums. Myron Anderson Director The new Heritage Center plans are going forward — the Minnesota Department of Transportation is still leasing our building until the end of 2016 — in the meantime Ryan Collins Director conceptual plans have been drawn by the architectural firm of MS&R from Minnea- Holly Fitzenberger Director polis, the same people who designed the Mill City Museum for the Minnesota Karlene McComb Director Historical Society. We will keep you posted about the upcoming plans and fundraising Angie Noyes Director to make this dream of the organization come true. Becky Pung Director The St. Croix Base Ball Club will be heading out into their 18th season. This Jeff Rankin Director outreach program of the WCHS has played base ball by the rules of 1860 all over the county, state and nation and is currently nominated for a National Award of Merit!! Staff Brent Peterson Executive Director Sean Pallas Warden's House Manager Dustyn Dubuque Hay Lake Museum Manager Chairs Robert Goodman Endowment Fund Chair Some recent artifact donations to the Historical Society include some old parts of the historic Stillwater Lift Bridge. These were removed and replaced in a recent restoration project and the original parts, that include one of the original electric light poles, are now safe in the collections of WCHS. It is an honer to be the Executive Director of the Washington County Historical Society. There is no place in Minnesota or Wisconsin that can boast such a diverse and important history. It is because of the membership of the WCHS that has made sure this organization succeeds. Please remember to renew your membership, invite others to become members and use your membership to visit the museums and attend the many events that are put on by the Historical Society!! Nancy Goodman See you all this suimner!! BrentT. Peterson, Newsletter Editor WCHS Executive Director Historical Whisperings is published quarterly by the Washington County Historical Society, PO Box 167, Stillwater, MN 55082-0167. Website: www.wchsmn.org Phone.- 651-439-5956. For information about stories and newsletter articles, contact editor@wchsmn.org For information about events and collections, contact information@wchsmn.org To book a museum tour contact spallas.wchs@,gmail.com or phone 651-439-5956 2 HISTORICAL WHISPERINGS Newsworthy Events ... WCHS Museums Open First Weekend in May! The Warden's House Museum will be open for tours on Friday, May 1, 2015, for the season. Hours are from 1 to 5 pm. Thursday through Sunday, May through October. Tours are scheduled on the hour: The first tour begins at 1 PM. and the last at 4 PM. If you'd like to schedule a group tour or an off-time/off-day tour, please contact Sean Pallas at 651-439-5956 or spallas.wchs@gtnail.com The Hay Lake Museums — the Hay Lake School and Johannes Erickson Log House —will open for tours on Saturday; May 2. Hours are from 1-4 PM Saturday and Sun- day in May, September and October, and Friday, Saturday and Sunday in June, July and August. To schedule a group tour at any time contact manager Dustyn Dubuque at 651-433-4014 or email dustyn.dubuque @hotmail.com Historical Whisperings is published quarterly by the Washington County Historical Society, PO Box 167, Stillwater, MN55082-0167. Website: www.wchsmn.org Phone: 651-439-5956. For information about stories and newsletter articles, contact editor@wchsmn.arg For information about events and collections, contact inforniation@wchsmn.org To book a museum tour contact spallas.wchs@gmail.com or phone 651-439-5956 2 HISTORICAL WHISPERINGS Newsworthy Events... WCHS Museums Open First Weekend in May! The Warden's House Museum will be open for tours on Friday, May 1, 2015, for the season. Hours are from 1 to 5 pm. Thursday through Sunday, May through October. Tours are scheduled on the hour: The first tour begins at 1 PM. and the last at 4 PM. If you'd like to schedule a group tour or an off-time/off-day tour, please contact Sean Pallas at 651-439-5956 or spallas.welis@ginail.com The Hay Lake Museums — the Hay Lake School and Johannes Erickson Log House — will open for tours on Saturday, May 2. Hours are from 1-4 PM Saturday and Sun- day in May, September and October, and Friday, Saturday and Sunday in June, July and August. To schedule a group tour at any time contact manager Dustyn Dubuque at 651-433-4014 or email dustyn.dubuque @hotmafl.com From the Executive Director Board & Staff Spring is here! The winter months are coming to the end and the glorious springtime Washington County weather has descended upon Washington County, making the birds sing and the area Historical Society gyms hum with people trying to lose that winter cushion! The Historical Society has been humming all winter long under the blanket of Board white. New exhibits are being created and readied for the upcoming season as well as David Lindsey President a bit of maintenance here and there. All will be ready for both the Hay Lake School & Scott Foss Vice President Erickson Log House and the Warden's House Museum to again open to the waiting Joe Otte Recording Secretary public. Check out the columns by Sean and Dustyn on pages 3 and 4 to see what is Tom Simonet Treasurer new at their respective museums. Myron Anderson Director The new Heritage Center plans are going forward — the Minnesota Department of Transportation is still leasing our building until the end of 2016 — in the meantime Ryan Collins Director conceptual plans have been drawn by the architectural firm of MS&R from Minnea- Holly Fitzenberger Director polis, the same people who designed the Mill City Museum for the Minnesota Karlene McComb Director Historical Society. We will keep you posted about the upcoming plans and fundraising Angie Noyes Director to make this dream of the organization come hue. Becky Pang Director The St. Croix Base Ball Club will be heading out into their 18th season. This JeffRankin Director outreach program of the WCHS has played base ball by the rules of 1860 all over the county, state and nation and is currently nominated for a National Award of Merit! ! Staff Some recent artifact donations to the Historical Society include some old parts of Brent Peterson the historic Stillwater Lift Bridge. These were removed and replaced in a recent Executive Director restoration project and the original parts, that include one of the original electric light Sean Pallas poles, are now safe in the collections of WCHS. Warden's House Manager It is an heopr to-be the Executrbe Direetorof the Washington County Historical Dustyn Dubuque Society. There is no place in Minnesota or Wisconsin that can boast such a diverse and Hay Lake Museum Manager important history. It is because of the membership of the WCHS that has made sure this organization succeeds. Please remember to renew your membership, invite others Chairs to become members and use your membership to visit the museums and attend the Robert Goodman Endowment Fund Chair many events that are put on by the Historical Society!! Nancy Goodman See you all this summer!! Brent T. Peterson, Newsletter Editor WCHS Executive Director Historical Whisperings is published quarterly by the Washington County Historical Society, PO Box 167, Stillwater, MN55082-0167. Website: www.wchsmn.org Phone: 651-439-5956. For information about stories and newsletter articles, contact editor@wchsmn.arg For information about events and collections, contact inforniation@wchsmn.org To book a museum tour contact spallas.wchs@gmail.com or phone 651-439-5956 2 HISTORICAL WHISPERINGS Newsworthy Events... WCHS Museums Open First Weekend in May! The Warden's House Museum will be open for tours on Friday, May 1, 2015, for the season. Hours are from 1 to 5 pm. Thursday through Sunday, May through October. Tours are scheduled on the hour: The first tour begins at 1 PM. and the last at 4 PM. If you'd like to schedule a group tour or an off-time/off-day tour, please contact Sean Pallas at 651-439-5956 or spallas.welis@ginail.com The Hay Lake Museums — the Hay Lake School and Johannes Erickson Log House — will open for tours on Saturday, May 2. Hours are from 1-4 PM Saturday and Sun- day in May, September and October, and Friday, Saturday and Sunday in June, July and August. To schedule a group tour at any time contact manager Dustyn Dubuque at 651-433-4014 or email dustyn.dubuque @hotmafl.com Put These on Your Calendar! Warden's House Open House Sunday, April 26 Get a preview of what's new at the Warden's House on Sunday, April 26. The museum will be open free from noon to 4 PM. You can enjoy refresh- ments, check out the new exhibits (see page 4 for more details) and chat with knowledgeable volunteers about the museum and Washington County histo- ry. Entertainment will be provided by Stillwater music students. Beer Tasting June 20 at Hay Lake Museum The WCHS Eighth Annual Beer Tasting will be held at the Hay Lake Museum Complex Saturday, June 20 from 4 to 7 PM. Cost to participate in the beer tast- ingis $15 (21 plus only). Food will be available on the grounds and the muse- ums will be open to view. A vintage base ball game will precede the Beer Tasting at 2 Pitt. (More upcoming events on pages 3-4) Learn More About WCHS! WCHS Directors Elected at March 26 Annual Meeting At the WCHS Annual Meeting on March 26, Jeff Rankin was elected to a three-year term on the WCHS Board of Directors. Jeff is a navy veteran who lives in Cottage Grove. He has worked for more than 20 years at Boston Scien- tific. Jeff says he has a passion for his- torical preservation. Two present board members chose to rerun and were re-elected for three- year terns. David Lindsey (Cottage Grove) was first elected to the board in 2009 and was re-elected in 2012. He is currently serving as WCHS board chair. Sign up for the free Historical Messenger email newsletter, delivered to your inbox bi- weekly. To get on board, visit www.wchsmn.org/publications/email Joint us on Facebook. Stay up-to-date with the latest happenings: http://.tinyuri.com/WashCoHistSoc (full address: www.facebook.com/pages/Stillwater- MN/W ashington-County-Historical-Society/74780748563) Treasurer Tom Simonet (May Township) was also re-elected. Tom has served on the WCHS board since January 2011, when he was appointed to fill out a term, and was elected in 2012. No other candidates were offered. Speaker for the event was Cathy Wurzer, host of Morning Edition on Minnesota Public Radio and Almanac on Twin Cities Public Television. Her presentation was based on her book Tales of the Road, Highway 61. John Kaul who had served as a director since 2012, did not rerun. Newly elected WCHS board members are (l. to r.) JgffRankin, David Lindsey and Torn Simonet. Featured speakerfor the evening was Cathy Wurzer, shown here with WCHS Executive Director Brent Peterson ,P APRIL2015 3 Sylvester Statelar's Axe Returns to the Valley A recent donation from Stephen Osman of an axe head with the name "S. Statelar" stamped on it brings us back to the time of the earliest settlers and the builders of what we now know as Washington County. Statelar, who was born in Licking County, Ohio in 1817, came to the valley in 1842 and worked for the Stillwater Lumber Company in 1843and 1844. Statelar and Thomas Ramsden ironed the first sleigh made in Stillwater for Walter Vail. Statelar remained in Stillwater only about four years, going to Crow 0 1 2 3 _ 4 5 Wing where he stayed for 16 years then on to Faribault. He returned to W- ■ _ M ' --- Stillwater 60 years later, in 1903. He knew only knew two people still ' living at that time, Lydia Carli and Charles Macey. A. B. Easton re - Axe head which has the t r lates the story of his visit, describing Statelar as a "tall man of venera- "get inark of Sylvester State- +"� a r� ble appearance." Statelar had to go down by the river, he said, to lar embossed. Photos by .� Stephen E. Osman.'' . '= his bearings" on where he was. He returned to Faribault where he died August 24, 1911 APRIL2015 3 Museum Events Report Looking Ahead at the Warden's House -- By Sean Pallas Warden's House Site Manager f Happy Spring! Snow melting, birds chirping, and most important ... museums opening! T can hardly believe that this May will marc the begin- ning of my fourth year here at the Warden's House. And I am extremely fortunate to be part of such an amazing organ- ization and I owe every bit of gratitude to you! Without your support the Washington County Historical Society simply wouldn't exist and I wouldn't be sitting here writing this sappy (but still very heartfelt) column to you folks. Thank you! If you haven't made your way to the Warden's House in a while (or even if you were here last week), we're giving you lots of reasons to plan a trip in 2015! On our touts you'll learn about the intertwined* lives of big business and the Old Stillwater Prison, you'll hear sol- emn Civil War tales of Stillwater's Last Men, and you'll view breathtaking images of when the powerful St. Croix River and Mississippi Rivers flexed their muscles fifty years ago. *And you'll have to take a tour to understand this truly hilarious pun. But the museu n is more than a house that holds exhib- its and "old stuff." We've got an exciting line-up of events and presentations covering topics such as the misadventures of Stillwater Prison inmates, glimpses inside the mysterious world of Masonry, and maybe even the finer points of hit- ting your foes with a folding chair. Check out this and the next page for some dates and details. Whether it be at one of our presentations or on one of our tours (running May -October, Thursday -Sunday from 1:00-5:00 PM), I really hope to see you this year at the War- den's House Museum! Contact Sean at 651-439-5956 or email spallas.wchs@gmail.com Group Tours Can Be Scheduled Any Time. If you'd like to schedule a group tour or an off-timeloff- day tour, please contact Sean Pallas at spallas.wchs@gmail.com or call 651-439-5956. 4 HISTORICAL WHISPERINGS And here's a list of events at the Hay Lake Museum and the Warden's House this Spring and Summer! Inside with Interesting Inmates Sunday, May 17, 2015 - 2:00 - 3:00 Pm Warden's House Museum, Stillwater WCHS invites you to hear a few untold stories firom in- side the walls of the Old Stillwater Prison (1853-1914) with Warden's House Site Manager, Sean Pallas. From foreign prisoners delivered by the US Army to con -men who doled out sucker punches — we'll examine the lives and misadventures of a few interesting inmates. This is a free and open to the public event. A Dazzle of Dragonflies Sunday, May 31, 2015 — 2:00 — 3:00 Pm Hay Lake Schoolhouse — Scandia, MN. Ron Lawrenz, Director of the Lee and Rose Warner Na- ture Center will be hosting a presentation covering differ- ent kinds of dragonflies and damselflies in Washington County. Ron was a resident of Big Marine Lake for 23 years and has a background in aquatic ecology with an in- terest in dragonflies. The "Dazzle" portion of the title to his presentation is the name of a group of dragonflies, who knew? The end of May will also be an exciting time for this presentation as there should be plenty of dragonflies around lakes in the Scandia area. This is a free and open to the public event. 8th Annual Hay Lake Beer Tasting Saturday, June 20, 2015 — 4:00 — 7:00 PM Hay Lake Schoolhouse, Scandia Bottoms up! Join the Washington County Historical So- ciety for our 8th Annual Beer Tasting at the Hay Lake Schoolhouse in Scandia, MN. We've lined up 14 fantastic breweries for this always popular event! Sample local craft brews from Sand Creek Brewing (WI), Joseph Wolf, Lift Bridge, Surly, Summit, Tin Whiskers, Big Wood Brewing and many more! This is a 21+ event. A $15 admission fee helps support WCHSs' ongoing mission of preserving and sharing our county's history. A free vintage baseball game precedes the tasting. Museum Events Report Looking Ahead at the Warden's House By Sean Pallas Warden's House Site Manager Happy Spring! Snow melting, birds chirping, and most important.. . museums opening! I can hardly believe that this May will mark the begin- ning of my fourth year here at the Warden's House. And I am extremely fortunate to be part of such an amazing organ- ization and I owe every bit of gratitude to you! Without your support the Washington County Historical Society simply wouldn't exist and I wouldn't be sitting here writing this sappy (but still very heartfelt) column to you folks. Thank you! If you haven't made your way to the Warden's House in while (or even if you were here last week), we're giving you lots of reasons to plan a trip in 20151 On our tours you'll learn about the intertwined* lives of big business and the Old Stillwater Prison, you'll hear sol- emn Civil War tales of Stillwater's Last Men, and you'll view breathtaking images of when the'powerfui St. e-roix - River and Mississippi Rivers flexed their muscles fifty years ago. *And you'll have to take a tour to understand this truly hilarious pun. But the museum is more than a house that holds exhib- its and "old stuff." We've got an exciting line-up of events and presentations covering topics such as the misadventures of Stillwater Prison inmates, glimpses inside the mysterious world of Masonry, and maybe even the finer points of hit- ting your foes with a folding chair. Check out this and the next page for some dates and details. Whether it be at one of our presentations or on one of our toms (running May -October, Thursday -Sunday from 1:00-5:00 PM), I really hope to see you this year at the War- den's House Museum! Contact Sean at 651-439-5956 oremailspallas.wchs@gniail.com Group Tours Can Be Scheduled Any Time. If you'd like to schedule a group tour or an off-time/off- day tour, please contact Sean Pallas at spallas.wchs@gmail.com or call 651-439-5956. 4 HISTORICAL WHISPERINGS And here's a list of events at the Hay Lake Museum and the Warden's House this Spring and Summer! Inside with Interesting Inmates Sunday, May 17, 2015 - 2:00 - 3:00 PM Warden's House Museum, Stillwater WCHS invites you to hear a few untold stories from in- side the walls of the Old Stillwater Prison (1853-1914) with Warden's House Site Manager, Sean Pallas. From foreign prisoners delivered by the US Army to con -men who doled out sucker punches — we'll examine the lives and misadventures of a few interesting inmates. This is a free and open to the public event. A Dazzle of Dragonflies Sunday, May 31, 2015 — 2:00 — 3:00 PM Hay Lake Schoolhouse —Scandia, MN. Ron Lawrenz, Director of the Lee and Rose Warner Na- ture Center will be hosting a presentation covering differ- ent kinds of dragonflies and damselflies in Washington County. Ron was a resident of Big Marine Lake for 23 years;and has a background in aquatic ecology with an in- terest in dragonflies. The "Dazzle" portion of the title to his presentation is the name of a group of dragonflies, who knew? The end of May will also be an exciting time for this presentation as there should be plenty of dragonflies around lakes in the Scandia area. This is a free and open to the public event. 8th Annual Hay Lake Beer Tasting Saturday, June 20, 2015 — 4:00 — 7:00 PM Hay Lake Schoolhouse, Scandia Bottoms up! Join the Washington County Historical So- ciety for our 8th Annual Beer Tasting at the Hay Lake Schoolhouse in Scandia, MN. We've lined up 14 fantastic breweries for this always popular event! Sample local craft brews from Sand Creek Brewing (WI), Joseph Wolf, Lift Bridge, Surly, Summit, Tin Whiskers, Big Wood Brewing and many morel This is a 21+ event. A $15 admission fee helps support WCHSs' ongoing mission of preserving and sharing our county's history. A free vintage baseball game precedes the tasting. Newell Burch: Civil War Prisoner of War Sunday, July 5, 2015 — 2:00 — 3:00 Pm Warden's House Museum, Stillwater 2015 marks the last year in which to commemorate the 150 -year anniversary of the Civil War. Dustyn Dubuque, Manager of the Hay Lake Museum, will present his Masters' thesis about a soldier from Menomonie, Wis- consin. Dustyn has researched what happened to Newell Burch from the time of his enlistment, to marching south for the Union army, to being captured at Gettysburg, to spending 21 months as a prisoner of war and how he managed to survive. This is a free and open to the public event. Washington County in the Civil War Sunday, July 19, 2015 — 2:00 — 3:00 PM Hay Lake Schoolhouse, Scandia Bob Goodman, co-author of In Their Own Words: The Civil War As Seen by Washington County Soldiers, will give a presentation at the Hay Lake School to talk about the men from Washington County who were there when the last shots were fired, 150 years ago. Bob has delved into diaries, reminiscences, and news articles written by local boys that tells what the war was like, the way they saw it as it happened. Bob's book, published by WCHS in 2011, will be available for signing! This is a pee and open to the public event. 150 Years of Accacia Masonic Lodge Sunday, July 26, 2015 — 2:00 — 3:00 Pm Warden's House Museum, Stillwater Join Grand Lodge District Representative Greg Guffey as he delves into Minnesota's Masonic history to com- memorate the sesquicentennial of the Accacia Lodge in Cottage Grove. The Accacia Lodge holds the unique distinction of being the only Masonic Lodge in Minneso- ta to adhere to a Lunar -cycle schedule. This is a free and open to the public event. And, There's More! Later in the Summer At the Warden's House Museum Sunday August 16, Outhouse Archeology, Sunday, Sept. 13 Professional Wrestling in Minnesota Saturday, October 24, Johnsdale Paranormal Group At the Hay Lake School Museum: Sunday August 23, One Room Schools Membership Report Welcome to the new and renewing annual members listed here! It is gratifying that so many remembered to renew in January. We are also happy to see so many new members and hope they will continue to think WCHS is a good bargain and continue their support. The Washington County Historical Society truly could not exist without your yearly support! Special thanks go to those of you who added a donation to your membership check and to the many Life Members who sent in donations in response to our Annual Appeal. Remember, memberships come due January 1 each year. Membership categories are listed on page t2 of this issue, with a handy membership blank. Questions? Call 651-439-5956 or email <infonnation@wchsmn.com>. Thank you all! New and Renewing Sustaining Members Bud & Gloria Hummel * South Washington Heritage Society New and Renewing Patron Members Ed & Kathy Fagerland * Tom Jefferson * Don Gettinger Nanette Hoffman * Don & Marlyce Lee * Cheryl Kohout Laursen * Evy & John Nerbonne * Dave Spencer * Jim Thommes New and Renewing Annual Members Darlene Anderson * Nancy & Dale Anderson * Rich Arpi Jeffery Bird * Violet Bomer * Carol Brotzler * Linda Cameron * Peter Clements & Sara Wagner * Carol Cline Dave Cline * Keith Clark * Rose Coad * May Combs Steve Despiegelaere * Jean Dexheimer * Susan Dole Paul Dornfeld and Dede Potter * Robert & Joann Ecker Duane Elliott * Barb Enslin * Robert Ericksson * Holly Fitzenberger * Wendell & Susan Fletcher * Bill Flowers * Scott & Diana Foss * Mike & Bonnie Frain * Janet Frye * Sam Fudenberg * Gerald Glaeve * Barb Greeder * Susan Groner * Richard Gustafson * JoAnn Hallquist * Kay Hempel * Sandra Hjelmberg * Richard Hodsdon * Janet Holtz * Marie Irrgang * Donna Jewell * Robert L. Jones Jeff Johnson * Richard & Ginny Johnson * Beth Juran * John Lammers * Myrt LaCosse * Louis & Marilee Larkey * Dave Lindsey * Richard Lehmann * Ken Martens * Harry Martin * Philip Martin * Julie Medberry * Deborah K. Meier * Doug & Susan Mueller * Evangeline Nolde * Kathleen Nolan * Dar and Roger Peterson * Ned Peterson Audrey Thueson Radice * Dan & Yvonne Schivone * Lorraine Shingledecker * Mike Sieben * Joseph Simonet Roman Stepchuk * Nancy Stephenson * Paula Thompson Pat Thoreson * Thomas Thul * Gloria Vandemmeltraadt Bob & Betty Walquist * Fred Weideman * Sarlyn R. Ziegler APRIL 2015 5 Susan La Pointe and William E. Van Tassel Their Colorful Story Leads from La Pointe to Stillwater And We Meet Some Interesting Fur Trade Folks! by Terry Brosious Jerry Brosious is a former editor of Histori- cal Whisperings, He wrotea story for the October 2014 issue of this newsletter about early settlers of Stillwater and Grant. Among them was Susan Van Tassel, an interesting lady who intrigued him to do further research. In 1866, one year after the end of the Civil War, a family of husband, wife and seven children moved from Odanah, Wisconsin, near Ashland, to a farm in Stillwater Township west of McKusick Lake and very close to the city limits. The family's name was Van Tassel. The parents, William and Susan lived the remainder of their lives there, William dying in 1877 and Susan in 1912. Their daily lives, their story in this Stillwater chapter of their lives, would not have been out of the ordinary for that era: William was a blacksmith and farmer and Susan a farm wife with all the work that role required. But their prior years and family background tell a most colorful story, William Van Tassel, Early Settler William E. Van Tassel was boo November 14, 1805 at Dolsontown, Orange County, New York, across the Hudson River and a bit north of New York City. His parents were William Van Tassel and Christina Davis. His grandfather, Nicholas Van Tassel, came from the area of Tarrytown in West- chester County, just north of the Bronx. The Van Tassels were descendants of one of the early Dutch families of the New Netherlands colony, having ar- rived in the early 1600s. Both father and grandfather were blacksmiths, the trade William learned and pursued for life. As a young man he went to New York City and worked for several years as engineer on a ferry boat. At some point he moved to Ohio where he married and had a child, Sa- rah, born in 1837. He was "one of the oldest settlers in the St. Croix Valley" arriving in 1841; in 1843 he and his family settled in Stillwater. These dates place the Van Tassels in what was then a very small population: McKusick, Fisher, Leach, et al., arrived in 1842 and "founded" Stillwater. Sometime in the next couple years we find the Van Tassels living at La Pointe, the village on Madeline Island, one of the Apostle Islands of Lake Su- perior. On October 24, 1846 William's wife (name unknown) died there. The following year he married a local girl, Susan La Pointe. In 1848 he was ap- pointed government blacksmith to the Chippewa (Ojibwe) by their agent James P. Hays. Susan La Pointe and the Fur Trade Susan La Pointe's story is colorful and fascinating. Central to her family background is the story of the fur trade. Very soon after their arrival in the early 1600s in what would become Canada and the United States, European, and then American, fur traders began doing business with the native people. Native Americans eagerly exchanged fur pelts for manufactured goods such as kettles, knives, axes, firearms, and cloth. The French controlled the fur trade in the Great Lakes region and estab- lished forts and trading posts in key Information for this article came from published sources: Theresa M. Schenck, All Our Relations: Chippewa Mixed -Bloods and the Treaty of 1837, and The Ojibwa Journals of Edmund F. Ely; and A. B. Easton, History of the St. Croix Valley; and from personal correspondence with Prof. Schenck, genealogists, and family mem- bers. Jerry welcomes any questions or comments and would particularly like to lo- cate a picture of William Van Tassel. Contact him at: jwbrosious@att.net 6 HISTORICAL WHISPERINGS Susan La Pointe Van. Tassel by W G. Stafford, photographer, Minneapolis. Courtesy of Donna Bixler Chapman. locations such at Sault Ste. Marie and Mackinac on Lake Michigan, and La Pointe, Fond du Lac (Duluth) and Grand Portage all on Lake Superior. The British gained control after the French were defeated (1759) in the French and Indian Wars. They estab- lished posts in the extensive lake coun- try of the Upper Mississippi River at Sandy, Leech and Red Lakes and on the Snake River at Pokegama Lake, among other locations. The business center for the fur trade was in Montreal, Canada. Susan La Pointe's father was one of the thousands who worked in the industry. Joseph Desautels dit LaPointe (bora ca. 1790) "ofL'Assomption" (near Montreal) began working for the British Michili- mackinac Company in 1809 which operated from Mackinac Island. The next year he was sent to the Montreal River which empties into Lake Sup- erior, forming the boundary between Wisconsin and the western tip of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. After the War of 1812, John Jacob Astor's American Fur Company took over much of the American fur trade. It was with the American Fur Company that Joseph LaPointe contracted on June 25, 1817 at Montreal. He was posted to the Fond du Lac department (including La Pointe) as a boatman and he remained with that division during his career in the fur trade. Susan LaPointe and William E. Van Tassel Their Colorful Story Leads from La Pointe to Stillwater And We Meet Some Interesting Fur Trade Folks! by Jerry Brosious Jerry Brosious is a former editor of Histod- cal Whisperings. He wrote a story for the October 2014 issue of this newsletter about early settlers of Stillwater and Grant. Among them was Susan Van Tassel, an interesting lady who intrigued him to do further research. In 1866, one year after the end of the Civil War, a family of husband, wife and seven children moved from Odanah, Wisconsin, near Ashland, to a farm in Stillwater Township west of McKusick Lake and very close to the city limits. The family's name was Van Tassel. The parents, William and Susan lived the remainder of their lives there, William dying in 1877 and Susan in 1912. Their daily lives, their story in this Stillwater chapter of their lives, would not have been out of the ordinary, for that era: William was a blacksmith and farmer and Susan a farm wife with all the work that role required. But their prior yeas and family background tell a most colorful story. William Van Tassel, Early Settler William E. Van Tassel was born November 14, 1805 at Dolsontown, Orange County, New York, across the Hudson River'and a bit north of New York City. His parents were William Van Tassel and Cluistina Davis. His grandfather, Nicholas Van Tassel, came from the area of Tarrytown in West- chester County, just north of the Bronx. The Van Tassels were descendants of one of the early Dutch families of the New Netherlands colony, having ar- rived in the early 1600s. Both father and grandfather were blacksmiths, the trade William learned and pursued for life. As a young man he went to New York City and worked for several years as engineer on a ferry boat. At some point he moved to Ohio where he married and had a child, Sa- rah, bom in 1837. He was "one of the oldest settlers in the St. Croix Valley" arriving in 1841; in 1843 he and his family settled in Stillwater. These dates place the Van Tassels in what was then a very small population: McKusick, Fisher, Leach, et al., arrived in 1842 and "founded" Stillwater. Sometime in the next couple years we find the Van Tassels living at La Pointe, the village on Madeline Island, one of the Apostle Islands of Lake Su- perior. On October 24, 1846 William's wife (name unknown) died there. The following year he married a local girl, Susan La Pointe. In 1848 he was ap- pointed government blacksmith to the Chippewa (Ojibwe) by their agent James P. Hays. Susan La Pointe and the Fur Trade Susan La Pointe's story is colorful and fascinating. Central to her family background is the story of the fur trade. Very soon after their arrival in the early 1600s in what would become Canada and the United States, European, and then American, fur traders began doing business with the native people. Native Americans eagerly exchanged fur pelts for manufactured goods such as kettles, knives, axes, firearms, and cloth. The French controlled the fur trade in the Great Lakes region and estab- lished forts and trading posts in key Information for this article came from published sources: Theresa M. Schenck, All Our Relations: Chippewa Mixed -Bloods and the Treaty of 1837, and The Ojibwe Journals of Edmund F. Ely,' and A. B. Easton, History of the St. Croix Valley, and from personal correspondence with Prof. Schenck, genealogists, and family mem- bers. Jerry welcomes any questions or comments and would particularly like to lo- cate a picture of William Van Tassel, Contact him at: jwbrosious@att.net 6 HISTORICAL WHISPERINGS Susan LaPointe Van Tassel by W. G. Stafford, photographer, Minneapolis. Courtesy of Donna Bixler Chapman. locations such at Sault Ste. Marie and Mackinac on Lake Michigan, and La Pointe, Fond du Lac (Duluth) and Grand Portage all on Lake Superior. The British gained control after the French were defeated (1759) in the French and hidian Wars. They estab- lished posts in the extensive lake coun- try of the Upper Mississippi River at Sandy, Leech and Red Lakes and on the Snake River at Pokegama Lake, among other locations. The business center for the fur trade was in Montreal, Canada. Susan La Pointe's father was one of the thousands who worked in the industry. Joseph Desautels dit La Pointe (born ca. 1790) "of L'Assomption" (near Montreal) began working for the British Michili- mackinac Company in 1809 which operated from Mackinac Island. The next year he was sent to the Montreal River which empties into Lake Sup- erior, forming the boundary between Wisconsin and the western tip of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. After the War of 1812, John Jacob Astor's American Fur Company took over much of the American fur trade. It was with the American Fur Company that Joseph LaPointe contracted on June 25, 1817 at Montreal. He was posted to the Fond du Lac department (including LaPointe) as a boatman and he remained with that division during his career in the fur trade. Christian missionaries followed in the wake of the fur trading posts and their work and institutions are an integral part of the fur trade story. When Euro -American and mixed -blood settlers connected with the trade settled at a post, it was the Roman Catholic missionaries who were typically the first presence prior to the 1830s. And it was at Ste. Anne's mission church on Mackinac Island that Joseph LaPointe married Marguerite Descarreaux on July 26, 1831; these were Susan La Pointe's parents. Susan Desearreaux Davenport or Ogee- nmmaquoy (The Chief Woman, e.1807- 1888)) was Susan La Pointe's aunt. She was married to Ambrose R. Davenport Jr. of the prmninent Mackinac firr trading family, Photo source Ancestry.cotn Susan's mother's family history provides yet another rich layer of histo- ry to this tale. Marguerite's father, Frangois Descarreaux, was said to have been a soldier in the early campaigns of Napoleon, though some researchers think he may have been born in New France. He settled at Sandy Lake (Big Sandy Lake in Aitkin County) and mar- ried a Chippewa woman whose name shows in some undocumented sources as Nawa-quay-gish-igquay (Noon Sky Woman), a daughter of Chief White Fisher (W aubojeeg). Conversion to Protestantism In the mid 1830s when the La Pointe family was based at Fond du Lac (Duluth) the missionary Edmund F. Ely arrived and from his published joumals we learn of the conversion of Mrs. La Pointe, Susan's mother to Protestantism. In December Ely's wife Catherine rec- orded in her diary: "Mrs. La Pointe has today with her children, commenced to attend our family worship morning and evening." The conversion stuck for life for both Mrs. La Pointe and daughter Susan. We also learn that Susan and family began attending Ely's mission school, which began in November 1835 with about 15 scholars. In December Ely counseled Susan's mother regarding child rearing: "Endeavored to give Mrs. Le Pointe this evening my views of her duty in governing her children & bring- ing them up right." Susan's Family and Girlhood Under the Treaty signed at Fort Snelling on July 29, 1837 the Chippewa ceded their land east of the Mississippi and south of the 46th parallel to the U.S. Government. It wasn't until August of 1839 that government agents arrived at La Pointe to hear the claimants' cases for qualifying for payment under the terms of the treaty. Joseph La Pointe appeared and his testimony reveals a wealth of family information. He states that his wife "Margarette" was a half breed aged 28 born at Rabbit Lake (on the Mississippi near Crosby) and that her mother was a full Chippewa of the Mille Lacs Band. Daughter Susan (subject of this article) and her two sisters are identified as quarter breeds; Susan's age is given as eleven, placing her birth ca. 1828, and her place of birth as Sandy Lake. Her sisters are Margarette, age five, born at Gull Lake, and Marie, age one and a half, bom at Fond du Lac (Duluth). Joseph La Pointe stated that he was sent by the American Fur Company during the suimner to different parts of the country "and his family generally accompanied him," which explains the various locations for the births of his daughters. As a child Susan LaPointe was exposed to a colorful world of fur trad- ers and trading posts; government agents and missionaries; full blood Chippewa, Euro -Americans and mixed bloods—which she herself was. Travel between distant trading posts can be reduced to one word: water. Wa- terways were highways of that time and place. Opened roads were virtually non- existent; the closest things were the In- dian trails. Travel from La Pointe to the vast lake country of the Upper Missis- sippi region—such as Sandy Lake— began by canoeing along the south shore of Lake Superior to Fond du Lac (Duluth) and then up the St, Louis River where a portage was required to get to the east branch of the Savanna River with another portage to the west branch of the Savanna and thence southerly down the river to its confluence with the Prairie River which flowed into Sandy Lake. The Sandy River runs a very short distance into the Mississippi; lakes to the north or south of Sandy Lake were reached by the great river. Susan and William Are Married And now let us return to the year 1847 when William Van Tassel and Susan La Pointe are said to have mar- ried. A family tree posted on family - Continued on page 8 Susan La Pointe's great aunt, Susan Oshagusco-dayra-quay (Woman of the Green Glade, cl770-1840) married Fur Company trader John Johnston of Sault Ste Marie. After her husband's death she ran thefir trade business, atone point hiring a young Henry Sibley as her clerk. APRIL 2015 7 VANTASSEL Continued firom page 7 search.org shows a marriage date of October 20, 1847 at Odanah (very close to Madeline Island); another tree shows them married at Stillwater which seems most unlikely, but no documentation has yet been found. We next find William and Susan in the U.S. census of August 1850 with one child, Julia Ann Margaret, aged seven months. The following year they moved to the Crow Wing (Minnesota Territory) agency where Will worked at his trade of master blacksmith. In 1853 they returned to La Pointe. Susan's Father Witnesses a Treaty The following year Will Van Tassel was one of the witnesses to the Treaty of La Pointe. There had been earlier persistent efforts to remove the Lake Superior and St. Croix Chippewa bands to locations on the west side of the Mis- sissippi River, but by this treaty they were finally allowed to remain and res- ervations were established. One was at Red Cliff and the other at Bad River (Odanah), both on the mainland very near La Pointe. The Van Tassels moved to Odanah around the time of the treaty or shortly after where, as usual, William worked as government master blacksmith, now for the Bad River Band of Chippewa. By the Treaty of 1854land allotments were provided not only for qualifying mixed bloods but also for government employees; the Van Tassel allotment of 107.24 acres is near today's Xcel Ener- gy's nergy's White River Flowage a few miles south of Ashland. The whiskey trade with the Indians caused much societal ill. Will Van Tas- sel was one of many signers of a Sep- tember 10, 1855 agreement to (try) to stop the whiskey trade at La Pointe, which read: "We the undersigned here- by agree to cooperate with the Agent Henry C. Gilbert, Esq. in preventing the sale of Liquor to the Indians during the present payment, and until they return to their homes, by every means within our power." 8 HISTORICAL WHISPERINGS Back to Stillwater Township In 1866 William and Susan left Odanah and settled on the west half of the west half of Section 20 of Stillwater Township, just northwest of McKusick Lake. William had purchased the land years earlier by deed dated June 5, 185 1. The farm is very close to the 1847 faun of the Rev. William T. Boutwell, with whom Susan (in particular) and William may have crossed paths during Boutwell's missionary years among the Ojibwe. The Van Tassel farmhouse (no longer standing) was on the east side of today's Neal Avenue North, south of Highway 96 and across the road from South Twin Lake. Whether Will Van Tassel continued any blacksmithing work in Stillwater is not known; the 1870 and 1875 censuses indicate his work as "fanner." However, the generations -long blacksmithing trade was carried on by his son Theo- dore. Will Van Tassel died October 14, 1877 at the age of 72. After learning of his death, the Bayfield, Wisconsin newspaper reminisced at length about the old government blacksmith. Family Tied to Early Pioneers All but one of Susan and William Van Tassel's children were born at La Pointe or Odanah; only the youngest was born in Stillwater. Their children were Virginia who married Henry F. Otis; Margaret married Henry Rengstorff; Julia married John May; Mary married Fred Winkelman; Wil- liam E., Jr. married Sarah Cook; Theo- dore married Nellie Thorene; and The- resa married George Rengstorff. Sarah, William's child with his first wife was married to Charles Macey, Susan LaPointe Van Tassel was living with her son William, Jr. and family when she died on March 30, 1912 at the age of around 84. Both her husband's and her funeral services were conducted by ministers from the First Presbyterian Church of Stillwater. (It's not unlikely that Rev. Boutwell officiat- ed at Will's service in 1877, although he was not officially on staff.) William and Susan are buried in Fairview cemetery in unmarked graves. More on the Story: Susan's Relatives At Bad River Susan Van Tassel was among relatives including her mother's brother, Henry Blatchford. He was born Francois Descarreaux Jr. at Sandy Lake in 1810. In 1816 his mother (Susan's grandmother) died leaving four young children; his father died a couple years later and the Descarreaux orphans were placed under the guardianship of the fur trader at Sandy Lake, William Aitkin. Three of the four (Franpois, Susan's mother Marguerite, and Susan's aunt Susan) were sent to the Protestant mis- sion school at Mackinac. Frangois was a good student and, as was sometimes the custom, was given a new name— Henry Blatchford, after a minister in Michigan (not resident at Mackinac). Susan's Uncle Henry Blatchford was a prominent interpreter in the La Pointe region and assisted Rev. Sherman Hall, the long-time minister there, in translat- ing Christian writings into the Opp we language. In the early 1840s Rev. Leonard Wheeler opened the mission and school at Bad River (Odanah). Eventually Henry Blatchford was or- dained in the Presbyterian Church and became the sole minister at Odanah. The other two siblings of Susan's mother Marguerite and her Uncle Henry were Susan Descarreaux who married Ambrose Davenport Jr. of Mackinac, and Mary, wife of Edward St. Arnaud. Air -tight documentation may be lack- ing, but most researchers believe Mis- quibunoquay, grandmother of Susan Descarreaux Davenport, was the wife of the famous chief Waubojeeg (White Fisher, c.1747-1793). They are Susan Van Tassel's great-grandparents. Jane Johnston, daughter of Susan's great-aunt, Woman of the Green Glade, married explorer and Indian agent Henry R. Schoolcraft. Jane is considered the first Native American literary writer of poetry and Native American traditional stories. Susan La Pointe's g -g -grandfather was Chief Mamongazida (Loonsfoot), a prominent Sandy Lake Chippewa chief and half-brother to the first Dakota Chief Wabasha (who was the grandfather of historic Chief Wabasha 1). VAN TASSEL—Continued from page 7 search.org shows a marriage date of October 20, 1847 at Odanah (very close to Madeline Island); another tree shows them married at Stillwater which seems most unlikely, but no documentation has yet been found. We next find William and Susan in the U.S. census of August 1850 with one child, Julia Ann Margaret, aged seven months. The following year they moved to the Crow Wing (Minnesota Territory) agency where Will worked at his trade of master blacksmith. In 1853 they returned to La Pointe. Susan's Father Witnesses a Treaty The following year Will Van Tassel was one of the witnesses to the Treaty of LaPointe. There had been earlier persistent efforts to remove the Lake Superior and St. Croix Chippewa bands to locations on the west side of the Mis- sissippi River, but by this treaty they were finally allowed to remain and res- ervations were established. One was at Red Cliff and the other at Bad River (Odanah), both on the mainland very near La Pointe. The Van Tassels moved to Odanah around the time of the treaty or shortly after where, as usual, William worked as government master blacksmith, now for the Bad River Band of Chippewa. By the Treaty of 1854 land allotments were provided not only for qualifying mixed bloods but also for government employees; the Van Tassel allotment of 107.24 acres is near today's Xcel Ener- gy's White River Flowage a few miles south of Ashland. The whiskey trade with the Indians caused much societal ill. Will Van Tas- sel was one of many signers of a Sep- tember 10, 1855 agreement to (try) to stop the whiskey trade at La Pointe, which read: "We the undersigned here- by agree to cooperate with the Agent Henry C. Gilbert, Esq. in preventing the sale of Liquor to the Indians during the present payment, and until they return to their homes, by every means within our power." 8 HISTORICAL WHISPERINGS Back to Stillwater Township In 1866 William and Susan left Odanah and settled on the west half of the west half of Section 20 of Stillwater Township, just northwest of McKusick Lake. William had purchased the land years earlier by deed dated June 5, 185 1. The farm is very close to the 1847 farm of the Rev. William T. B outwell, with whom Susan (in particular) and William may have crossed paths during Boutwell's missionary years among the Ojibwe. The Van Tassel farmhouse (no longer standing) was on the east side of today's Neal Avenue North, south of Highway 96 and across the road from South Twin Lake. Whether Will Van Tassel continued any blacicsmithing work in Stillwater is not known, the 1870 and 1875 censuses indicate his work as "farmer." However, the generations -long blacicsmithing trade was carried on by his son Theo- dore. Will Van Tassel died October 14, 1877 at the age of 72. After learning of his death, the Bayfield, Wisconsin newspaper reminisced at length about the old government blacksmith. Family Tied to Early Pioneers All but one of Susan and William Van Tassel's children were born at La Pointe or Odanah; only the youngest was born in Stillwater. Their children were Virginia who married Henry F. Otis; Margaret married Henry Rengstorff; Julia married John May; Mary married Fred Winkelman; Wil- liam E., Jr. married Sarah Cook; Theo- dore married Nellie Thorene; and The- resa married George Rengstorff. Sarah, William's child with his first wife was married to Charles Macey. Susan LaPointe Van Tassel was living with her son William, Jr. and family when she died on March 30, 1912 at the age of around 84. Both her husband's and her funeral services were conducted by ministers from the First Presbyterian Church of Stillwater. (It's not unlikely that Rev. Boutwell officiat- ed at Will's service in 1877, although he was not officially on staff.) William and Susan are buried in Fairview cemetery in unmarked graves. More on the Story: Susan's Relatives At Bad River Susan Van Tassel was among relatives including her mother's brother, Henry Blatchford. He was born Franoois Descarreaux Jr. at Sandy Lake in 1810. In 1816 his mother (Susan's grandmother) died leaving four young children; his father died a couple years later and the Descarreaux orphans were placed under the guardianship of the fur trader at Sandy Lake, William Aitkin. Three of the four (Franoois, Susan's mother Marguerite, and Susan's aunt Susan) were sent to the Protestant mis- sion school at Mackinac. Franoois was a good student and, as was sometimes the custom, was given a new name— Henry Blatchford, after a minister in Michigan (not resident at Mackinac). Susan's Uncle Henry Blatchford was a prominent interpreter in the La Pointe region and assisted Rev. Sherman Hall, the long-time minister there, in translat- ing Christian writings into the Ojibwe language. In the early 1840s Rev. Leonard Wheeler opened the mission and school at Bad River (Odanah). Eventually Henry Blatchford was or- dained in the Presbyterian Church and became the sole minister at Odanah. The other two siblings of Susan's mother Marguerite and her Uncle Henry were Susan Descarreaux who married Ambrose Davenport Jr. of Mackinac, and Mary, wife of Edward St. Arnaud. Air -tight documentation may be lack- ing, but most researchers believe Mis- quibunoquay, grandmother of Susan Descarreaux Davenport, was the wife of the famous chief Waubojeeg (White Fisher, c.1747-1793). They are Susan Van Tassel's great-grandparents. Jane Johnston, daughter of Susan's great-aunt, Woman of the Green Glade, married explorer and Indian agent Henry R. Schoolcraft. Jane is considered the first Native American literary writer of poetry and Native American traditional stories. Susan La Pointe's g -g -grandfather was Chief Mamongazida (Loonsfoot), a prominent Sandy Lake Chippewa chief and half-brotherto the first Dakota Chief Wabasha (who was the grandfather of historic Chief Wabasha 1). FL000s Continuedfi-om page 1 Record High Water on the St. Croix River In Stillwater residents, school children and fifty inmates from the Minnesota Correctional Facility farm colony teamed together starting on April 10 to construct a dike to save Stillwater's downtown area. Because of the large number of teenagers helping to build the dike by shoveling sand into sandbags, a large painted sign was placed atop the dike that identified it as the "Teenager's Dike." Minnesota Governor Rolvaag and Wisconsin Governor Warren Knowles visited the flooded areas. President Lyndon Johnson flew in from Washington, D.C., to view the damage in a brief visit on April 14. Along the St. Croix, the Andersen Windows Corp. closed because of the high water and on April 15, because of the ever rising water, city and county officials decided to prevent all "pedestrians or moving vehicles" from entering the business district of Stillwater, effectively sealing off downtown Stillwater for the first time in history. A cold snap on Good Friday, April 16, checked some of the runoff, but up to an inch of new snow fell in the Twin Cit- ies area and threatened to add to the melt, In Stillwater, the river finally crested at 94.10 feet on Easter morning, April 18, at 19 feet above normal and the highest river level ever recorded there. The Teenagers' Dike held. The city of Stillwater re -opened on April 21, after the crest had passed. Flooding on the Mississippi Down on Grey Cloud Island, resident Rich Mullen said that the channel and Mooers Lake flooded quickly as the Mississippi rose As people left the island to go to work they had to worry whether there would still be roads and bridges so they could return home. Washington County Commissioner Pete Tibbetts contacted the Sheily Company to grade roads and add sand to serve as dikes. After the flood the roads had to be rebuilt. Marine on St Croix lost its ferry service as the St. Croix flooded Marine Landing. The flood was memorable not only because of the water levels, but also because so many people joined together to save their communities. Roger Peterson, a Stillwater city council member during the flood, recalled that he received a call from a Minneapolis man at 6 AM Easter morning and wanted to know if it would be all right if he came over with a carload of other volunteers to help in any way he could. Peterson re- sponded, "Sure, come on over!" Turned out, the man on the phone was blind! Commemorating the Flood Hooley's Supermarket— which was on the waterfront up against the dike and 10 feet below the water level — commemo- rated the flood by creating a medallion. "This medallion was designed to honor those who worked so hard to save Stillwater from a flood disaster,"" said Jack Hooley. The medallions, which featured a picture of the Teenager's Dike sign, were given away free with every purchase at both of the Hooley grocery stores in Stillwater. The Teenager's Dike sign was taken down and placed in the collections of the Washington County Historical Society. It _1 �It Stilhvater's doivntotwn streets were clasedfor thefirst time when floodivaters threatened Main Street buildings. Manhole covers had to be sandbagged to prevent them rising. Police were on duty to keep gawkers out of downtown. Left: Old engine 328 in Levee Parkfbund itself in the middle ofthe river. Below: The Red Cross sent a truck to the levee to provide wann beverages to the Workers filling sandbags. ■. APRIL2015 9 Washington County Historical Society Financial Report for FY2014 STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES ASSETS Current Assets Total Building Fund 83,886.63 Total Publications 14,502.32 Total Society Operations 93,618.95 Total St Croix Valley Fund 36,948.44 Total Current Assets 554,239.79 Fixed Assets Furniture and Equipment 525,849.00 Total Heritage Center 795,000.00 Total Fixed Assets 1,320,849.00 TOTAL ASSETS 1,875,088.79 LIABILITIES & EQUITY Total Liabilities 158,889.82 Total Endowment Assets 325,283.45 Equity 1,299,602.99 Original Endowment 265,901.55 Earned Income 150 694.43 TOTAL LIABILITIES 69,207.56 & EQUITY 1,875,088.79 BALANCESHEET For the period of Jan 1 through Dec. 31, 2014 Income Endowment Contribution Total General Public Funding Total Grants Total Interest Income Total New Building Total Income Expense Total Activities Total Hay Lake School Total Heritage Center Total Insurance Total Membership Expense Total Operation Expenses Total Wages, taxes, benefits Total Warden's House & Office Total Expense Net Income Endowment Operations Heritage Center 125.00 125.00 58,807.79 58,807.79 97,745.00 97,745.00 3,768.27 1,174.44 2,593.83 225,114.04 225,114.04 385,560.10 1,299.44 159,146.62 225,114.04 3,246.86 3,246.86 4,374.97 4,374.97 69,207.56 69,207.56 13,873.79 -0- 8,873.79 5,000.00 9,097.79 -0- 9,097.79 -0- 17,010.06 -0- 17,010.06 -0- 94,777.23 -0- 94,777.23 -0- 23,277.41 -0- 23,277.41 -0- 234,865.67 -0- 160 658.11 74.207 56 150,694.43 1,299.44 -1,511.49 150,906.48 This is an unaudited statement. The final document from our accountant will be available in July. Tom Simonet, WCHS Treasurer 10 HISTORICAL WHISPERINGS Washington County Historical Society Financial Report for FY2014 STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES ASSETS LIABILITIES & EQUITY Current Assets 4,374.97 Total Building Fund 83,886.63 Total Liabilities 158,889.82 Total Publications 14,502.32 Total Endowment Assets 325,283.45 Total Society Operations 93,618.95 Equity 1,299,602.99 Total St Croix Valley Fund 36,948.44 Original Endowment 265,901.55 Total Current Assets 554,239.79 Earned Income 150.694.43 Fixed Assets -0- TOTAL LIABILITIES -0- Furniture and Equipment 525,849.00 & EQUITY 1,875,088.79 Total Heritage Center 795,000.00 Total Fixed Assets 1,320,849.00 TOTAL ASSETS 1,875,088.79 BALANCESHEET For the period of Jan 1 through Dec. 31, 2014 Income Endowment Contribution Total General Public Funding Total Grants Total Interest Income Total New Building Total Income Expense Total Activities Total Hay Lake School Total Heritage Center Total Insurance Total Membership Expense Total Operation Expenses Total Wages, taxes, benefits Total Warden's House & Office Total Expense Net Income Endowment Operations Heritage Center 125.00 125.00 58,807.79 58,807.79 97,145.00 97,745.00 3,768.27 1,174.44 2,593.83 225 114.04 225,114.04 385,560.10 1,299.44 159,146.62 225,114.04 3,246.86 3,246.86 4,374.97 4,374.97 69,207.56 69,207.56 13,873.79 -0- 8,873.79 5,000.00 9,097.79 -0- 9,097.79 -0- 17,010.06 -0- 17,010,06 -0- 94,777.23 -0- 94,777.23 -0- 23,277.41 -0- 23,277.41 -0- 234.865.67 -0- 160.658.11 74.207.56 150,694.43 1,299.44 -1,511.49 150,906.48 This is an unaudited statement. The final document from our accountant will be available in July. Tom Simonet, WCHS Treasurer 10 HISTORICAL WHISPERINGS WASHINGTON COUNTY HISTORY Calendar of Events Please contact the sponsoring organization far updated information about these events: South Washington Heritage Society (SWHS) 651-459-7950; Washington County Historical Society (WCHS) 651-439-5956; Denmark Township Historical Society (DTHS) 651-436- 7639; Gamrnelgarden 651-433-5053; Afton Historical Society 651-436-3500; Historic Courthouse 651-275-7075. April 11 Saturday—SWHS program "The St. Paul Park - Inver Grove Swing Bridge" with Jon Lyksett. St. Paul Park City Hall, 10 AM.. April 12 Sunday—"History in Your Backyard," noon -8 PM. Visit with representatives of county historic sites and or- ganizations at the Historic Courthouse, Stillwater. April 26 Sunday—Open House at the Warden's House Muse - urn, Stillwater, noon -4 PM. Refreshments, self -guided tours, and opening of new exhibits, May 1 FridayWarden's House Museum open for the season, Thurs-Sun 1-5 PM. Call for group tour reservations. May I Friday—Gammelgarden Museum and Scandia Butik opening weekend; exhibition of Swedish handwork; M -Sat 10 AM -4 PM; Sun 1-4 PM, Scandia. May 2 Saturday—Spring Supper, Songs and Stories, $20 per person, free to Life Members, reservations required. 4 PM, Gammelgarden, Scandia. May 2 Saturday—Hay Lake School Museum Complex in Scandia opens for the season, tours weekends 1-4 PM. May 9 Saturday—SWHS program "The Caterpillar Company" Ed Claussen; St. Paul Park City Hall, 10 AM. May 17 Sunday WCHS program "Inside with Interesting Inmates" with site manager Sean Pallas at the Warden's House Museum, Stillwater at 2 PM. Free. May 31 Sunday —WCHS program "A Dazzle of Dragonflies," with Ron Lawrenz, director of Warner Nature Center, at Hay Lake Schoolhouse, Scandia, 2 PM. Free. Perfect summer day! The beer tent at the 2014 beer tasting at Hay Lake Museum, Scandia. The 8th Annual Beer tasting will take place on Tune 20. Vintage Base Bal! Umpire, Tom Simonet, explains the niceties of the 1860 -wales game to the spectators. Opening Doy 2015 is May 31 at Pettit Park, Lake St. Croix Beach. May 31 Sunday—Join us for the season opener! St. Croix Vin- tage Base Ball Club vs Afton Red Socks at Pettit Park, Lake St. Croix Beach, 2 PM. May 24 Sunday—Immigrant for a Day, 1-4 PM, Gam- melgarden Museum, Scandia. Free family event. June 13 Saturday—SWHS trip to James J. Hill Farm in North Oaks; meet at St. Paul Park City Hall parking lot before 9:15 AM for car pooling. June 20 SaturdaySt. Croix Baseball Club vs. Rum River Rovers of Anoka, 2 PM, Lions Club Park, Scandia. June 20 Saturday—WCHS Beer Tasting at Hay Lake Museum Complex, Scandia, 4-7 PM. Tasting is 21+ only; cost $15; food available on the grounds. June 20 Saturday—Midsommar Dag, arts and crafts fair open at 10 AM, children's activities 11:30 AM; program at 1 PM at Gammelgarden Museum, Scandia. June -September second and fourth Sundays—Woodbury His- torical Society Heritage House open 1-4 PM (Marsh Creek Park, Woodbury). June -September second and fourth Sundays—Oakdale Lake Elmo Historical Society one -room school open; 2 to 4 PM. Oakdale Nature Preserve (4444 Hadley). June 28 Sunday & fourth Sunday each month—Bluegrass and Lemonade in the Shade, 2-4 PM, Gammelgarden, Scandia. July 5 Sunday WCHS program "Newell Burch: Civil War Prisoner of War" by Dustyn Dubuque (Hay Lake Manag- er), 2 PM. at Warden's House Museum, Stillwater. Free. July 11 Saturday—SWHS program "History of the Kok Fu- neral Home; by Mike Shea; St. Paul Park City Hall, 10 AM. July 16 Thursday lee Cream Social and Talent Show, Kick- off to Stillwater Log Jam 4:30 PM to dusk, Historic Court- house, Stillwater. July 18 Saturday Demonstration Vintage Base Ball during Log Jam Days, St. Croixs host 7 other vintage teams in all - day play at Old Athletic Field, Stillwater. Begins 10 AM. July 19 Sunday WCHS program "Washington County in the Civil War," presented by Bob Goodman, 2 PM, Hay Lake Schoolhouse, Scandia. Free. July 26 Sunday WCHS program "Accacia Masonic Lodge 150th Anniversary"; Greg Guffey tells the story at 2 PM, Warden's House Museum, Stillwater. Free. August 2 Saturday—WCHS vintage base ball at the county fair, St. Croixs vs Afton Red Socks, 1 PM. APRIL 2015 11 DATED MATERIAL WNIN(TON (OUNTV flKTOAHL SKIUU Box 167 Stillwater. MN 55082 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Contact Us To receive this newsletter by U.S. Mail or Email, or for information about the Washington County Historical Society, contact us at 651-439-5956 or email information@wchsmn.org On the web at www.wchsmn.org ------------------------- MEMBERSHIP APPPLICATION or RENEWAL j I Washington County Historical Society I I 1 Name I I Address I I City, State, Zip Telephone Indicate preferred type of membership _Annual Individual ($25) _Annual Senior Citizen/Student (S15) _Annual Family ($35) _Annual Patron ($75) _Annual Sustaining ($125) _Life ($1,000) I I Additional donations are welcome and needed. Volunteer help is also needed (check here or call). Detach and mail to: WCHS Memberships PO Box 167, Stillwater MN 55082 Membership includes subscription to Historical Miisperings. --————————————————— — — — — —— 12 HISTORICAL WHISPERINGS Non -Profit Organization U. S. Postage PAID Permit No. 224 Stillwater, MN 55052 Cottage Grove HPC City Office 12800 Ravine Pkwy Cottage Grove, MN 55016 PIIIIi IN 1111, Hill IIIIIII'I'I' IIIIIIIJ- Ilh III' III'Illl Our Mission The Washington County Historical Society collects, preserves, and disseminates the history of Washington County and the State of'Minnesota. WCHS programs include book publication, speakers and workshops, historical reenactments, vintage base ball, school programs, exhibits, print and electronic newsletters, historical markers, and a history website (www.wchsmn.org) with links to other history organizations. Our goal is to provide an oppor- tunity for all county citizens to learn about and enjoy our area's history and to build a sense of community heritage. The Washington County Historical Society is uniquely situated to document early Minnesota history and to tell the story of immigrants from the eastern United States and Europe who settled the region in the mid -nineteenth century. The county's geographic connections to the Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers place the county at the forefront of settlement and the estab- lishinent of the territory and state. For this reason we have chosen our motto, Gateway to Minnesota History DATED MATERIAL WAMAIRTON (OONTV *TOAIR WILD Box 167 Stillwater, MN 55082 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Contact Us To receive this newsletter by U.S. Mail or Email, or for information about the Washington County Historical Society, contact us at 651-439=5956 or email information@wchsmn.org. On the web at www.wchsmn.org .-I.`:>r'�'µ c:1il';a:L yrs; Non -Prost Organization U. S. Postage PAID Permit No. 224 Stillwater, MN 55082 Cottage Grove FIPC City Office 12800 Ravine Pkwy Cottage Grove, MN 55016 -1 - III fid I, III 111i'1'1'1iiI11jr1u'i11)11i'111'111! LC7Ci t J 3, l �/I l��vJ'//J)J��( l .� MEMBERSHIP APPPLICATION or RENEWAL j I Washington County Historical Society. I I I Name I I Address I I City, State, Zip Telephone Indicate preferred type of membership Annual Individual ($25) _Annual Senior Citizen/Student ($15) _Annual Family ($35) Annual Patron ($75) _Annual Sustaining ($125) _Life ($1,000) I Additional donations are welcome and needed. Volunteer help is also needed (check here or call). I Detach and mail to: WCHS Memberships PO Box 167, Stillwater MN 55082 Membership includes subscription to Historical Whisperings. � ------------------------- 12 HISTORICAL WHISPERINGS Our Mission The Washington County Historical Society collects, preserves, and disseminates the history of Washington County and the State of Minnesota. WCHS programs include book publication, speakers and workshops, historical reenactments, vintage base ball, school programs, exhibits, print and electronic newsletters, historical markers, and a history website (www.wchsmn.org) with links to other history organizations. Our goal is to provide an oppor- tunity for all county citizens to learn about and enjoy our area's history and to build a sense of community heritage. The Washington County Historical Society is uniquely situated to document early Minnesota history and to tell the story of immigrants from the eastern United States and Europe who 3; settled the region in the mid -nineteenth century. The county's geographic connections to the Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers place the county at the forefront of settlement and the estab- lishment of the territory and state. For this reason we have chosen our motto, Gateway to Minnesota History