Mazeppa Area Historical Happenings

The Mazeppa Journal, Editor & publisher Louie A. Phillips

Nov. 8, 1940

Roosevelt Re-elected President By Large Vote

Local News

Red Bridge: Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Pfeiffer will move to Rochester Wednesday.

   Mazeppa & Zumbro Falls men are among the First Wabasha County Draftees:

Alfred Reuter, Francis Gillespie, Tilden Larson, Milton Lohman, Donald Clemens, Leonhardt Hadler, David Clinnin (ZF), Norman Megears, Wm. Scott, Francis Miller, Stuart Atkinson(ZF), Clinton Hosking(ZF), Lawrence Darcy, Allwin Arndt, and Theo Terzakis(ZF).

Earl Goodman, who recently enlisted in the army, was home from Ft. Snelling for the week-end.

Oswald Sand, who has been working for the Federal Bread Co. the past year, resumed employment at Nichols & Co’s. Monday.

Leo LaVan has bought the government wharf building at Lake City that was erected a few years ago, which was dedicated by President Roosevelt. He will wreck it and sell the lumber.

Theo. LaVan had one foot painfully injured Saturday, when a tractor being run on his place backed over a rise and threw him from the fender. A tractor wheel went over one foot, and while it was severely bruised, no broken bones have as yet been discovered.

Nov. 15, 1940

Ford News Writes Up Samuelson Turkey Farm

When Ralph Samuelson built his new turkey house it was predicted that Mazeppa would become turkey capital of the country. National recognition has been given this plant by an illustrated feature article in the “Ford News”, a periodical circulated nationally by Ford.

Storm of Monday Called “Worst Ever”

Minnesota has had its share of blizzards in the past but nothing worse has ever been seen here than the blitzkrieg of Monday which it shared with most of the country.

Following several days of gentle rains, the thing came suddenly after noon. The rain changed to snow and sleet, freezing temperatures set in, and visibility on the road was nil. Cars, without anti-freeze froze up. In a few hours no one dared to venture out. The wind was literally terrific, blowing at nearly 50 miles an hour, and making walking in its teeth almost impossible.

Thousands of Turkeys Lost

The sudden storm of Monday caused the loss of turkeys all over the state. In this section Ralph Samuelson lost over 1000 birds. The rain which fell on them in the shelters, on the hill back of the building, froze into ice with sudden change of weather. As a result the turkeys fell to the ground, unable to move, and froze and smothered to death. Mr. Samuelson went to rescue at once but soon his two trucks became impeded by snow and could not be used and a team could not work fast enough. Six hundred were saved alive and taken to the barns out of 2000 or more.

Kenneth Haggerty of Hammond reported that he had lost his entire flock of 1800.

Leon Kuehn of Mazeppa reported the loss of 25 birds.

Frozen turkeys-perfectly good for eating —-were given away to callers at Mr. Samuelson’s Tuesday, so that one man’s misfortune gave free turkey dinners to others.

Mrs. Geo. Searles Passes Away: The deceased daughter of Mr. and Mrs. N.J. Majerus was married to George W. Searles. Surviving are her husband, one son, J.N. Searles of Mpls., and two sisters, Mrs. F.W. Kingsley, and Mrs. Justine Powell of Mazeppa.

Walter Fowler, Former Resident, Dies: Walter Fowler, member of an early-day Mazeppa family. Mr. Fowler operated the Fowler House, later Hotel Anderson and built the two-story section of the building. He was one of the organizers of the Bank of Mazeppa. Mr. Fowler married Miss Daisy Hyde of Mazeppa. Surviving are his three sons, Harold Elmer and Donald; a daughter, Mrs. Ray Skiglund, and a sister, Mrs. Ethelyn Webb of South Pasenda, California.

Schmit-Marx Wedding Held Wednesday: Richard Schmitt of Harvey, N.D. and Miss Bertha Marx of Mazeppa were married at St. Peter and Paul’s church in the village.

Jumps From Car, Breaks Arm and Leg: Mrs. Peter Tri suffered a broken arm and leg Thursday near the Peter Perotte home north of Mazeppa. In going up a hill in a car with son Aloysius, the car stalled and Aloysius got out to crank it. The car started back down the hill and Mrs. Tri jumped with the resulting fractures.

Helen stated that some of the above information was quite lengthy and that individuals may want to read “the rest of the story” at the Mazeppa Area History Center. She stated that the history center is closed for the season, but will be opened by appointment.

Compiled by Helen Reiland and Mike Holtorf


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