​Messenger- August- 2021

THE MAZEPPA JOURNAL , Editor and Publisher: Barbara and Reider Tommeraas

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1952

RICHARDSONS TO TAKE OVER SCOTT’S CAFÉ SATURDAY
Mr. and Mrs. James Richardson former Mazeppa residents, and Mr. and Mrs. Louis Richardson have purchased Scott’s Café, and will take over Saturday.
Art and Mary Scott, the present proprietors, have run the café for almost three years. They are undecided about their future plans.
The Richardsons’ have named their restaurant the R & R Café. Mr. and Mrs. James Richardson have been living at Wabasha and Mr. and Mrs. Louis Richardson at Lake City.
A grand opening will be held Monday evening. Everyone is cordially invited to attend.

Boy Scout News
Monday, Oct. 27, the two patrols went on a scavenger hunt and had to find 21 articles around town. The Beaver patrol won. We also talked about marching in the Halloween parade with a horse and buggy. All members were present.
Last week the following officers were elected in a meeting in the municipal building:
Quartermaster, Gary Oelkers, and Kenneth Ramthun; scribe, Ralph Leuth; buglers, Chuck Robinson, Bill Schwartz, Curtis Kuehn; reporters, Jim Sand Leonard Liffrig. Senior patrol leader is Jim Smith. Leonard Liffrig is leader of the Mohawk patrol and Bill Smith of the Beavers.
Mohawks are Chuck Robinson, Gary Oelkers, Curtis Kuehn, Bill Schwartz, Larry Sand and Bill Webster. Beavers are Fritz Hoefs, Jim Sand, Ralph Leuth, Kenneth Ramthun, and Harry and Jerry Wobschall.

1877---75th ANNIVERSARY EDITION---1952
“Wabasha Count History” Provides Interesting Information on Town
“Mazeppa village is the metropolis of southwestern Wabasha County.”
So says, “The History of Wabasha County,” a most interesting volume published in 1920.
Mazeppa village was named from the poem, “Mazeppa” by Byron, a favorite poem by Ira O. Seeley, who was invited to name the village. The hamlet was founded by Joseph Ford and his son, Orville D. Ford in 1855.
In June 1855, J.E. Hyde began erection of a log building at the corner of Main and Walnut streets for a store and residence. This was completed in September, and he returned to Galena, Ill. for his family and a stock of goods. These arrived on Oct. 1, and from that time supplies were kept here for the convenience of settlers. In the fall of 1855, Elijah Lont and his brother-in-law Lewis Blunt, built a large house on the corner of Chestnut and First streets. Evander Skillman afterward converted a part of this into a general store. J. W. Judd was the first iron worker. The first hotel was house built by N. B. Smith in the fall of 1855, on the corner later occupied by Charles Colling. Stages passed here twice a week and traffic was heavy.
In 1856 Orville D. Ford built the house now occupied by the Ami McDonoughs and opened it as a hotel. Orton Ford was the first harness maker; Henry Washburn was the first shoemaker. The first doctor was O.S. Lont, who practiced here for two decades. Lewis, son of Francis A. Stowell, was born here in the fall of 1855 and Roxie H. daughter of Enoch Young, was born Dec. 14 of the same year. These undoubtedly were the first children born to white parents within the township.

Village Incorporated in 1877
Mazeppa village was incorporated by the legislature of 1877. E.L. Ford and N. J. Majerus were appointed judges of the first election when 86 votes were cast. Elected were: President O.D. Ford; trustees, Prosper Robinson, D. Van Fleet and Welk B. Smith; treasurer, George Maxwell; recorder, Wesley Kinney; justice J.S. Huntley and constable, Alvin Kinney March 11, 1901, the voters of the village to entirely separate from the township.

CHECK OUT THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF MAZEPPA AT THE MAZEPPA HISTORICAL SOCIETY BUILDING! IT IS A RICH HISTORY! Give us a call!