Historical Happenings

The Mazeppa Journal, Editor Louis Phillips 

Nov. 15, 1940: 

Local relatives attended a shower for Miss Sylvissa Haggerty, bride of this week, at the home of her sister near Hammond Sunday. 
The wedding of Carl Goetsch and Miss Sylvissa Haggerty of Rochester has been announced to take place at 4:30 Thursday of this week at the St. John's Lutheran church in Mazeppa. 
Emil Hofschulte and Carl Betcher, compelled to stay at South St. Paul Monday night, needed five hours to get home Tuesday. 
It was necessary repeatedly to put on chains and take them off, meanwhile shoveling at big drifts. They counted at least 20 cars in the ditch the other side of Cannon Falls. 
Rural Carrier C.P. Denison has abandoned the caterpillar type of traction for delivering mail and has put big tractor tires on his winter car. This raises the car so high that it ought to over drifts, while the tires should give it traction. If this won't get through cars won't and if cars will not, service is practically impossible. 
Rev. DJ. Lavery was called to Apple River, Iowa, about 40 miles from Dubuque, on Monday by the accidental deaths of his brother's brother-in-law and sister-in-law and a lady who was riding with them. All three were instantly killed when the car in 
which they were riding was hit by an engine at a crossing. Father Lavery returned here Wednesday morning, having made most of the trip down and back by rail via Rochester. 
Weather conditions this week have disrupted many plans but the largest delegation of deer hunters in years planned to go north to be ready for the deer season Nov. 15 to 25. Among those from here who planned to go were Ralph Samuelson, Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Schlasner, Norman Megears, Wilmer LaVan, John Gruhlke, Alex Weber, John Roland, Ig. Grossbach, John Grossbach, John Nehring, Joyce Youngs, Clayton McCoy, H.E. Gerken, Albert Betcher, Fred Betcher and son Vernie, John Tommeraas and Henry Johnson of Lena. Others planning to go if roads were open were Wesley Miller, Francis Miller, and DeWitt Whipple of Mazeppa, Ronald Stull of Rochester and George Whipple of Minneapolis. The Commercial Club at its meeting Tuesday evening discussed plans for Christmas street decorations. It was decided to put trees in the flag pole sockets as well as the usual strings of evergreens and lights across Main Street as in the past. Herb Vik has started building a house on the land he purchased from Mons Larson just his side of the George Goodman farm. 

Dec. 27, 1940: 

J.J. Sprengers To Celebrate Golden Wedding - The unique invitations have poems and philosophy by Mr. Sprenger, in which he pays deserved tribute his partner of 50 years. They were married Jan. 19, 1891. The bride pulled in her waistline until it measured about 20 inches and wore a blue serge dress. Her hair was done up in ringlets on top of her head. Now the groom had on the best fitting suit there was and then it didn't fit. They were securely and happily married and Louise came to live at the Sprenger home. 
School Board Awards Contracts -The school board Friday evening accepted bids for gymnasium equipment. The Farham Printing & Stationery Co. was awarded the baskets and backstops for basket ball at $293.77. The backstops can be raised to the ceiling. Their bid also included some bathing equipment. The St.Paul Book & Stationery Co. was given the bleachers at $511.00. 
Alvis Hofschulte bought the lumber from the old barn on the place for $89.50 
Pin Ball Machines Come Back - Pin ball machines are again in operation. The preceding evening the council fixed the license at $5 per month per machine. The first five machines will net the village $300. a year. 
John Caswell Dies at Age of 80 - Mr. Caswell was married to Caroline Lewis. survivors are his wife, two daughters, Mrs. Essie Jones and Mrs. Grace Gregoire, two sons, Russell of Potlatch, Idaho and Harold of Stockport, Iowa, two sisters, Mrs. Thos Rowland of Oregon and Mrs. Lewis of Plum City and a brother Charles of Mazeppa. 
Foster Franklin Killed In Fall at Lake City - Mr. Franklin has been associated with Leo LaVan in wrecking buildings and was 
working on the government dock building at Lake City. Working on a plate about 18 feet above the ground, he was on his hands 
and knees tearing up a board when he evidently lost his balance and fell. Everybody's friend, universally known and liked, the only son of Mrs. Sylvia Franklin, and leaving his young wife (Doreen Smith) and two small children, the fatality turned the day before Christmas into one of mourning. 
Local News: 
Wally Schumacher is proud of his present dray-line equipment. He has bought the truck formerly used by Albert Oelkers for Conoco. 
Mr. Oelkers has bought a new Chevrolet. 
Richard Schmitt, employed at Almeter Motor Sales, cut the side of his hand badly Friday. 
John Lemmerman of this village was surprised on his 81 st birthday. 
The Bear Valley Lutheran congregation installed a new Waterbury two-way furnace last week, which will add to the comfort of the attendants. 
Work at the new school gymnasium recently has consisted of laying the maple floor. The walls have been washed, and a fill is being made on the north side. Thirty-five men are still employed on the job. 
A New Hampshire Red pullet belonging to Mrs. Peter Tomfohrde of Bear Valley laid an egg recently 9 by seven inches in circumference. Inside was an ordinary egg with shell, yolk and white. 
May the New Year of 1941 bring you afulfillment of your every hope.  - John Gruhlke 

- Compiled by Helen Reiland and Mike Holtorf-