YESTERYEAR
100 Years Ago
(September 1, 1923)
Fire destroys barn at Finnegan farm on Sunday
The main barn on the J.F. Finnegan farm (the old Culshaw place) was destroyed by a fire last Sunday night. The cause of the fire is not known. The barn is valued at $4,000 to $5,000 and the insurance was about $1,500. Destroyed in this fire were six sets of harness, 20 tons of hay, 200 hogs, and many small articles.
Storm here last Saturday did considerable damage
The storm last Saturday did considerable damage in and around Minneota. In some places, it was accompanied by hail, which stripped the stalks of corn. It is not possible to estimate the damage, but there is no question about it being heavy. In some places, a slight twister also did some damage. On the A.J. Snidal farm, three stacks of oats were scattered over an extensive area and two hay racks were lifted off a wagon on which they were resting and smashed into kindling wood. A stack of wheat was taken from a setting on the farm of Ole S. Peterson.
75 Years Ago
(September 3, 1948)
17 athletes report for football practice Monday
Seventeen athletes responded to Coach Kafka's call for football practice Monday evening at which time equipment was issued and sessions started in preparation for the coming season. Minneota will again have a six-man team, competing with similar aggregations from towns in the surrounding area. Six games are on the schedule this year, three on the home field and three away.
Minneota using water from one new well, other well still unused
The pump in one of Minneota's two new wells was turned on Thursday morning, pumping water into the village's reservoir. This is the west well, located just north of Mrs. T.P. Culshaw's residence. Minneota's other new well, which is located east of Mrs. Culshaw's residence, has not been used yet.
Mascot hires new local news writer from Minneapolis
A new Mascot employee, Miss Nancy Leland of Minneapolis began work this week as a writer of local and women's news. Miss Leland replaced Mary Lou Muhl, who held the position for the past six months. Miss Leland is a graduate of Randolph-Macon Women's College in Lynchburg, Virginia. receiving her degree from that institution this summer.
50 Years Ago
(August 30, 1973)
Gossen takes top prizes during Lyon County Fair
Tim Gossen of the local FFA organization returned from the Lyon County Fair with his Duroc gilt and his pockets full of top awards. Gossen won first place in the light division of market hogs; a grand championship overall of market hogs; grand championship hog showmanship; and grand champion overall showmanship. Other local FFA members who won placings were Mike Hennen in dairy animals and Dave Boulton with March gilt.
Porter Harvest Festival set
annual event on Sept. 1
Plans are set for the annual Porter Harvest Festival to be held on Saturday, Sept. 1. The first event will be a softball tournament between teams from Porter, St. Leo, Canby and Taunton. A kiddie parade will be held at 1:30 p.m., followed by a tractor pull. There will be rides for the kiddies all day long. Also being held will be a horseshoe tournament and a trap shoot competition. The Northwest Playboys will entertain for a street dance that evening.
25 Years Ago
(September 2, 1998)
Woodcarver to set up in City Hall during Bug Days
Derwin Jensen, a woodcarver of farm machinery and trucks, will be located in the City Hall Community Room on Saturday, Sept. 12. His business is called R & D Toys & Crafts. Mr. Jensen enjoys talking about his work, so stop by and visit with him. He also has wooden items that he will have for sale.
Eight new teachers start at public school, two at St. Ed's
There are eight new teachers this year at the Minneota Public School, while St. Edward's has two new teachers. The new public school teachers are Kristi Liljenquist, Spanish; Nancy Nordquist, fourth grade; Mary Slaba, kindergarten; Heather Weir, Title I-Reading; Jennifer Neuman, fifth grade; Fran Fier, Social Studies; Jeff Hansen, fifth grade; and Keven Larson, sixth grade. Stacey Klang will teach fifth grade at St. Edward's and Jina Baartman will teach seventh and eighth grade English, History and Literature.