Mazeppa Area Historical HappeningsHistorical Happenings

Compiled by Mike Holtorf

The Mazeppa Tribune, 1984

Nov. 21:

George Judd of Zumbrota has returned to Mazeppa and will work in the shop of his father, L.S. Judd.

Mrs. William Befort Sr., John, Frank and Agnes Befort, and Nic Musty and wife, accompanied by Mrs. Chas. LaVan, attended the wedding of John Clemens, oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Clemens of Pine, one day last week. They report having spent a pleasant day.

“IT’S A SQUEEZE”

Professor Leonard’s Department the High School is Crowded!  Three new pupils, Will Grogan, Thomas Hallaway and Will Kahn, were enrolled in Prof. Leonard’s department of the Mazeppa High school last Monday morning, giving his room an enrollment of 45 pupils at this time.  In many school rooms an enrollment of 45—-and in fact so it has often been in this school in the past—would mean an actual attendance of perhaps 30, but with the thorough course of instruction and in the able manner imparted by our genial professor, and by a peculiarly interesting system of seating, the attendance in his department is always within one or two of being perfect. With 45 pupils in attendance he will have to seat one or two upon the floor.

On the whole the Mazeppa schools are on the verge of a most prosperous season and every encouragement should be extended to those who are laboring so hard to improve them.

Nov. 28:

Masquerade ball tonight at Sullivan’s hall.

Mrs. J.B. Gregoire has been suffering with quinsy the past week.

The Fowler House is undergoing repairs which will add much to its appearance.

Skating on the pond affords amusement for a host of kids—and older people, too.

Miss Flora Hardy is teaching the winter term of school in what is known as the Nei district.

L.E. Scruby has sold his gallery building to Peter Englehart who will use it for an office.

Miss Wheelan, who is teaching school a few miles north of town, was the guest of Mrs. Hugh Leonard Friday eve.

Oh, it’s a boy and a dandy, you bet, born last Friday morning, hence the youthful expression on the face of Dave Jones, Jr., as you meet him these days.

Constable James Darcy took two prisoners to Wabasha last week who had been sentenced to 12 days each in the county jail by Justice C.C. Robinson.

Nic Liffring, one of Belle Chester’s prominent citizens, spent Saturday in Mazeppa and while here endeavored to perfect arrangements to send his son Andrew to the Mazeppa High School this winter for instruction. Owing to the crowded condition of the school, and the high room in particular, the school board should endeavor to arrange for more seating room and that, too, at once. Let the country people know that the Mazeppa schools are open to all comers and that the attendance of their children is not only desire but all necessary arrangements will made to properly care for their instruction.

Mazeppa was visited by burglars Monday night, who attempted to blow up the safe of Powers & Darcy in their meat market.  It seems they secured a bit, hammer and chisel at the blacksmith shop of L.S. Judd and proceeded to the butcher shop and secured an entrance through the back door by cutting the screen.  They drilled two holes in the door of the safe about three-quarters of an inch in diameter and then gave it up as a bad job.  They did not neglect, however, to observe the next day’s weather forecast and consequently took Constable Darcy’s dog coat (black with nutria trimmings) and a brand new pair of gloves.

Dec. 5:

Miss Kate Seims and brother, John, of Mt. Peasant, were visitors in this place yesterday.

Work has at last begun in earnest tearing down the cooper shops. Thus another landmark disappears.

Mr. and Mrs. Otto Willers of Bear Valley are rejoicing over the birth of a pair of twins which bid fair to become bouncers in the course of time.

The boiler for the boiler-house in the park is now in the course of construction at LaCrosse and will be here in a week or ten days undoubtedly. In future we’ll have no more frozen water works.

Dec. 12:

J.S. Smith has men at work rapidly tearing down the old cooper shop.  He will use lumber to build beside his shop, and put in a saw mill. Del has been crowded in more ways than one and this will give plenty of room in future.

It is reported that D.L. Philley of this place has been married since his recent departure to Miss Lizzie Campbell of Bellingham, Minn.  The event is chronicled as having been consummated on Dec. 4. The TRIBUNE extends congratulations if such are in order.

August Gatje has moved into the house opposite the one he has been occupying and owned by Miss Annie Lavan.

Jasper Dale’s funeral took place from the Methodist church at Zumbro Falls on Thursday last and the remains interred in the South Troy Cemetery.

Dec. 19:

During the past month the custom mill operated by Messrs. Hager & Comstock has been so rushed with work as to render much extra running time necessary. Farmers are well pleased with the work done by the mill under the able supervision of John Hager and THE TRIBUNE is pleased that is so. There is no reason for farmers passing through Mazeppa and going to other points for the purpose of getting their flour and feed milled. Patronize Mazeppa institutions.

Both the old cooper shops have been torn down during the past few weeks, the Yotter brothers taking care of one and J.L. Smith the other. The latter raised the two boilers from the ruins of the mill and has them placed by the railroad track ready for shipment. Colling, the Zumbrota brickmaker, was in town last Wednesday and stated that if he could make the deal at a proper figure he would purchase one or both the boilers.