Mazeppa Area Historical Happenings   

Compiled by Mike Holtorf

The Mazeppa Tribune, 1985

   Jan. 2: Mr. Phillip Arendt of Mazeppa was recently in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to look up property there and see how near true were the many reports he had heard regarding that country.  Mr. Arendt returned to Bellechester on Monday of last week and called the Tribune office shortly after.  Mr. Arendt says “I have never visited a country where the land varied so in price.  For in a circle of six miles surrounding Oklahoma City farms may be purchased at $1000 to $8000.

Jan. 30: A seven year-old son of Henry Strauss of Belle Chester died last Friday afternoon of inflammation of the brain. The funeral was last Sunday.

Albert Schroeder, S. Phillips, Hans Bilben and several others will attend probate court in Wabasha tomorrow, the will of Peter Schroeder being called up for proof at that time.

The Tribune acknowledges the receipt of a dollar from Mrs. Mason Brandt of Zumbro Falls, for a year’s subscription.  Mrs. Brandt evidently recognizes a good medium of information.

Willis Mack sold the lot on which his house is situated on Saturday last.  Consideration $206.00. Willis will soon remove his house to the lot adjoining, this making but little difference in the location.

John Spicer and Miss Melissa Sibley were married Tuesday. The newly married couple are too well known to The Tribune readers to require any introduction, and their many friends will unite in wishing them well.

And now Ike Ahneman goes and takes unto himself a wife in the person of Miss Rosa Clemens. Marriages seem to be coming thick and fast these days, must be the cold weather. At any rate, Ike, you may accept our congratulations.

Feb. 6:  The death of Miss Bessie Haugen(age 17-daughter of Halvor Haugen) of Lena station on Saturday afternoon last was an especially sad event, more so for the young people in this section than one would suppose, for she was an especially favorite and many expressions of regret were to be heard the past week.  Bessie died of consumption.

It is said that C.W. Colling spent yesterday in Wabasha, whither he went to file a claim against the estate of the late Peter Schroeder.

Miss Flora Hardy fell from her cutter Sunday evening while about to mail a letter at the post office, bruising her face quite badly.  It seems Miss Hardy was wearing a fur coat and her feet became entangled in the reins in the bottom of the cutter.  At any rate, she has our sympathy and wishes for a speedy recovering.

William Reitman, who resides a short distance this side of Zumbro Falls, died very suddenly on Thursday last at about noon. Mr. Reitman had been ill but a few days suffering from internal troubles, and indeed, but a week prior to his death he had visited this place to transact some land business and looked as hale and hearty as only Germans in good health can.  He leaves a family and many warm friends to mourn his demise. The funeral was held Saturday afternoon at Zumbro Falls.

Feb. 13:  The Mill Fire:  It was but a short time after the first fire had subsided that a second alarm was turned in and Comstock & Preble’s Custom mill was discovered to be on fire.  It was useless to try to get any fire apparatus to the scene, not only because of its imperfect condition, but the heavy snow rendering efficient travel almost impossible.  All that could be done, then, was for the thoroughly awakened populace to throng the banks of the river and watch the only mill in the village burn down before their very eyes.

The fire was discovered by Miss Nettie Preble, who resides with Mr. Comstock, and the latter was the first to arrive upon the scene.  The fire had so far advanced by that time, however, that nothing could be done to save the property.

The mill was owned by Messrs. A. Comstock and T.J. Preble, Messrs. Hager and Comstock have been operating it the past year and it was a paying piece of property, valued at over $2500.  There was no insurance.

The burning of the mill was a severe loss to the village as well as to the gentlemen who owned and operated it, as there is now no mill within a number of miles of this place.  An effort is being made to get a new mill erected by a stock company with Mr. Hager as the head.  The origin of the fire is unknown as no one was in the mill after 2 p.m., John Hager being the last to leave and he says the fire was out before that time.

Willis Mack has purchased the place owned and occupied for some time past by John McClellan and will take possession soon.  Mr. McClellan and family will take charge of William Mack’s farm a few miles below this place.  Consideration of sale, $400.

Feb. 20:  Joe Grossbach, of South Mazeppa, is building an addition to his house.

A.Comstock and family moved to Hager City, Wis. On Thursday last.

Miss Nellie Newhouse of Pine Island visited a few days of last week with her cousin, Adelbert Sheldon and wife.

Wm. Sommerfield and Miss Minnie Goldbeck of South Mazeppa, will be married on Thursday, Feb. 28 by Rev. C. Boernike.  The contracting parties are well known in this vicinity and will no doubt be warmly welcomed by a large circle of friends into their new condition of life.