Mazeppa Area Historical Happenings

Compiled by Mike Holtorf

THE MAZEPPA JOURNAL- L.A. Phillips. Publisher 

Mar. 28,1941 

L E. Scruby, Former Postmaster, Dies: 

The local Masonic lodge was informed Saturday of the death of one of its members, Levi E. Scruby, of Gardens, Calif., 
following two operations. 
Mr. Scruby was born in Sparta, Wis. in 1863. He was a freight train conductor for a time but an accident forced him to give it 
up and he took up photography, practicing that profession in Mazeppa for 12 years. He was postmaster of Mazeppa for the years 
1893-97 and then removed to Zumbro Falls, where he went into partnership with SD. Welch. Aug. 20,1893 he married Miss 
Mary WeIch, and one daughter was born to them Evlyn, later Mrs. Arthur Schleicher. 
Mrs. Scruby having passed away, Mr.Scruby sold his business interests in Zumbro Falls, and moved to California, where he 
resided until his death. He married again and his wife preceded him some time ago. He leaves his daughter, grandchildren, and 
great-grandchildren. 

Mr. Scruby held a number of village posts in Zumbro Falls and was one of the most prominent business men in this section for 
30 years. 
Masonic funeral services were held at Gardena. 
Local news 

At a party at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Otto Goetsch Saturday evening, head prizes were won by Mrs. Ami McDonough and 
Paul Goetsch and low by Mrs. Wm. Judd and H. Schumacher. 

A number of Mazeppa WPA workers who have been employed on the schoolhouse are now working on the Highway 60 project 
near West Albany. 
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Goetsch gave a card party Thursday evening. 500 was played at seven tables. High honors went to Mrs. 
Fred Busse and Albert Kuehn, low to Mrs. Henry Sommerfield and Gordon Bright. A lunch was served afterward. 
Eldred Kuehn began work this week on the foundation of the dwelling to be located north of the Wm. Rietman home. 

J L. Steichen is tearing down the bam on his property to make room for WM. Thomforde's house, which will be moved to that 
lot. 

Edgar Gahler has moved the building he recently bought of the local school district to the Alex Goetsch lot. He will transform 
it to a dwelling. 

Albert Gray, who suffered a stroke last week, is reported by callers to be doing as well as can be expected. He has been 
confined to his bed, but improvement is slowly being made. 

Chas. Crouch, aged resident near Mazeppa, doesn't get down much to meet his friends, but at the age of 89 years he is still able 
to go out and chop wood. 

Miss Betty Alrneter left Tuesday for Detroit, Mich. to join her aunt, Dr. Frances Ford, on a southern trip to the Carolinas and 
elsewhere. 
P J. Reiland was a business visitor in Wabasha Monday. He has sold the Thos. and Julia Hanna 80 acre farm in Gillford to Wm. ~ 
Thornton. 
Mons Larson is brightening the interior of his place with decorative beveled Masonite. The buff with gold stripes wall gives a Sl 
very attractive appearance. 
While taking horses across the river Iaround the bend! near this village Saturday, Joe McCabe and Robert Mannhalter, who Ie 
were dragging willows with Gene Hoffman's horses, nearly lost two of the animals when they went through the ice, and only by ~ 
resting their front feet on the ice could they keep their heads out of the water. A block and tackle was necessary to pull them out. 

The local Boy Scout Troop now has ·16 members with six new boys who are, Vincent Clemens, Walter Tri, Lyle Olstad, Kerwin 
Engelhart, Kenneth Almeter and Buddy Almeter.