USA > Minnesota > Lyon County > An illustrated history of Lyon County, Minnesota > Part 31
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Balaton Camp No. 3821, Modern Woodmen of America, has existed since
Breening, William Loeck, Ludwig Mitzner, Emil Plagens, Julius Mitzner, A. Mitzner, F. W. Teufel, Michael Meyer, Peter Swann, John Swann. The first trustees were Ludwig Ludke, John Breening and William Wichmann.
13The first trustees were H. N. Olson, C. W. Nord and H. A. Anderson and the first deacons were Nels Truedsson and John Blomquist.
14A Sunday Sehool, organized in 1901, is maintained in connection with the church. Nels Truedsson was the first superintendent. Twenty-five pupils are en- rolled and the teachers are Mrs. O. Sandquist, Miss Sadie Nord and Nels Truedsson.
15Charter members of the Workmen lodge were J. H. Call, D. F. Sanders, George L. Carlaw, J. P. Estce, R. E. Town, J. A. Moore, W. S. Whiting, G. Wilhelmn, Charles Brandt, A. S. Town, J. Diekinson, E. R. Weeks, J. Murrison, T. A. Graham, D. McErlain, G. A. Tate, H. C. Shaffer and II. A. Bates.
16The eharter members of Nonpareil Lodge were Lillian Tate, Hattie Call, Mary Willford, Eva Moore, Sarah Town, Jeannie A. Graham, Laura Willford, Mabel Whiting, Jane Weeks and Rachael Murrison.
4
204
HISTORY OF LYON COUNTY.
April 27, 1896.17 Eighty-one members are now on the rolls of the lodge. Lake Yankton Lodge No. 5005, Royal Neigh- bors of America, was instituted Septem- ber 27, 1907, with a large initial mem- bership18 and is still an active order.
THE BANKS.
Two banks are conducted in Balaton, the First State Bank and the First National Bank. The former is the older and the successor of the first financial institution of the village.
The Bank of Balaton was established as a private institution in the middle nineties by R. H. Martin & Son and was sold in January, 1899, to H. O. Garlock & Company. It was succeeded in May. 1901, by the First State Bank, which was organized by M. Lauritsen, presi- dent; J. N. Westbee, vice president; C. W. Candee, cashier; J. H. Carlaw and Charles Germo. It began life with a capital stock of $10,000. The banking house was erected in 1901. The present officers of the First State Bank are Charles Germo, president ; J. H. Carlaw, vice president; A. M. Moore, cashier; and J. A. Moore, Jr., assistant cashier.
The First National Bank succeeded a state bank organized in 1902. The officers while the institution was op- erated under a state charter were George A. Tate, president; A. J. Rush, cashier; and N. H. Olson, assistant cashier. The capital stock was $15,000. The reorganization occurred in June, 1903, when the First National Bank opened for business with a capital stock of $25,000 and the following officers: George A. Tate, president; August
17The charter members of the Woodmen lodge were L. L. Cornwell, W. H. Estee, W. Glotfelter, A. Goohall, A. S. Moline, Robert Steele, Nels Stenberg, Nels Wahlgren, E. F. Whiting and E. W. Whiting.
ISThe following were charter members of the Royal Neighbors lodge: Luey Anderson, Charles R. Ander- son, Delbert J. Bailey, J. H. Breening, Wilhelm Bevens, Myrtle E. Beck, Eliza B. Bailey, Blanche A.
Swanson, vice president; F. W. Ruliff- son, cashier; and U. Wilhelm, assistant cashier. The present commodious bank- ing house was erected in 1909. At the annual meeting of January 30, 1912, a change was made in the management of the bank and the officers are now as follows: James Hall, Sr., president; U. Wilhelm, first vice president ; August Swanson, second vice president; F. W. Ruliffson. cashier. The directors are C. M. Hommerberg, August Swanson, H. J. Tillemans, James Hall, U. Wilhelm, L. Redding and N. H. Olson.
FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY.
For the purpose of insuring its mem- bers against loss by fire or lightning the Western Mutual Fire Insurance Com- pany of Balaton was organized in June, 1894. The incorporators were as fol- lows: A. N. Daniels, who was the first president: J. P. Estee, who served as the first secretary; James Murrison, W. H. Estce, William Livingston, T. J. Skaug, R. R. Roberts, Fred Lochman, A. G. Bumford, Julius Frost, William Klukas, John Goltz, William Teufel. L. Ludke, William Frost, Ludwig Arndt, Julius Mitzner, F. W. Teufel, O. E. Persons, I. N. Harvey, C. W. Candee, Robert Riddell, Evan C. Jones, Charles Livingston and Jerry Dickinson.
The business of the company has grown until late in 1911 the amount of insurance in force was over two and one-quarter million dollars. The pres- ent officers and directors are J. A. W. Shand, president; E. M. Hamm, secre- tary; A. M. Moore, treasurer; L. E. Peterson, J. C. Taylor, William Bruell,
Bailey, Emma S. Goltz, Henry Hamm, Mary Hamm, George W. Jones, Martha E. Jones, Sina Knudson, Mathilda Moline, Maggie G. Murrison, Robert Murrison, Katherina Mullaney, Isabella G. Murrison, Elsie Pierce, lIulda Swann, William Swann, Nora Sorenson, Frankie L. Town, Amanda Thompson, Ingue Weede, E. F. Whiting, Emma M. Weede, N. H. Wahlgren, Anna E. Whiting and Eva Whiting.
205
IHISTORY OF LYON COUNTY.
Robert Neill, P. Johnson and F. H. Fligge. J. P. Estee was the first secretary of the company and he was succeeded for short terms by A. N. Daniels. James Murrison was then elected to the office and served eleven years. He was succeeded by the present secretary, E. M. Hamm.
RUSSELL.
Lyon county's sixth municipality in point of size is Russell, a village of 262 people, according to the last census. It is a station on the Great Northern railroad and the platted portion is on the south half of section 19. Lyons township, Russell draws trade from quite an extensive and very prosperous territory and as a business point takes rank equal to the other villages of like size in the county.
Russell was founded in 1888 and had its inception as a result of the building of the Willmar & Sioux Falls (Great Northern) railroad. Before the road was built, in the fall of 1887 it became known that one of the stations was to be located there19 and in May, ISSS, the railroad officials announced that the station would be named Russell, after Russell Spicer, son of one of the pro- moters of the Willmar & Sioux Falls.
The track was laid to the site during the early fall of 18SS and train service was begun a little later. The plat was surveyed by C. L. Van Fleet and was
19"The fifth station in the county will be Clear Lake, on the eenter of section 19, town of Lyons, thirteen and one-half miles from Marshall, and here will be another beautiful townsite and the station will be an important one, both in beautiful loeation and as a shipping place."-Marshall News-Messenger, November 11, 1887.
20 Additions to Russell have been platted as follows: Addition A, September 7, 1892, by Henry M. Burchard; surveyed by C. L. Van Fleet.
Addition B, September 28, 1893, by Henry M. Burehard; surveyed by O. H. Sterk.
E. Skyhawk's First, December 12, 1896, by Ephraim Skyhawk; surveyed by O. H. Sterk.
Peterson's, July 15, 1901, by Hans Peterson; sur- veyed by W. A. Hawkins.
dedicated by Homy M. Burchard on January 19, 1889. The original plat consisted of only four blocks, divided by First. Second and Third and by River and Front Streets. 20
During the month of October, 1888, the Northwestern elevator and a section house were erected and about the same time Ephraim Skyhawk put up a two- story building. On the ground floor he opened a little store and he and his family lived on the second floor. Mr. Skyhawk was the pioneer business man of Russell and for some time he and his family were the only residents of the new village. The postoffice was estab- lished in February, 1889, and was con- ducted in Mr. Skyhawk's store. 21
In March, - 1889, Herman Ristow erected a little house and became the second resident of Russell, taking a position as section hand. Albert Ris- tow, born July 29, 1889, was the first child born in the village. There was practically no advancement during 1889, but the following year several improve- ments were made.
A. J. Cowie took a position as grain buyer for the Northwestern Elevator Company early in 1890 and sold farm machinery as a side line. The Inter- State Grain Company put up a flat house and furnished competition for the pio- neer grain firm. During the summer S. W. Galbraith, formerly of Balaton, erected a store building, moved his family to Russell, and engaged in the hardware and grocery business.22 He
Bengtson's, August 23, 1910, by John Bengtson; surveyed by O. H. Sterk.
21 Russell has had only two postinasters. Ephraim Skyhawk served from the time of establishment in February, 1889, until 1896, and F. S. Purdy from that date to the present time.
One rural route is operated from the Russell offiee. It was established February 4, 1904, and G. II. Thurston was the carrier until 1907. He was succeeded by Charles O. Johnson, the present earrier.
22"Sam Galbraith, of Balaton, is locating in Russell, where he is building a store. Hereafter when Eph. Skyhawk comes to Marshall he will not have to lock up the town during his absence."-Marshall News- Messenger, September 26, 1890.
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IHISTORY OF LYON COUNTY.
remained only about a year and then sold to William Buel.23 In the fall of 1890 a little shack of a building was brought to the station on a flat car and for several years was used as the depot. Late in the same season Fellows Brothers opened a feed mill and a little later a blacksmith shop.
A harness shop was opened in 1891 and a pool hall was started, which a little later was replaced by a hardware store. During the same season three residences were erected. In the spring of 1892 A. A. Fifield put up buildings and opened a lumber yard and later in the same season Scott Carlisle built and opened to the public the first hotel. Before the close of the year ten more dwelling houses were put up and Russell began to take on the appearance of a thriving little village.
The hard times of 1893 interrupted progress to some extent, although a few residences were erected and a pool hall was started. A church was organized that fall. The Marshall News-Messen- ger of November 3, 1893, said: "Rus- sell has a dozen stores, hotel, two elevators, lumber yard, etc. Russell is a wheat market from the word go and this fall has shipped to Minneapolis seventy cars."
More business enterprises were estab- lished in 1894. In May a large two- story double store building was erected and Messrs. Fawcett and E. L. Cross established stores. Dr. Treat located in the village for the practice of his profession. Several residences were erected, there were a few changes- of ownership of the business establish-
23The death of May Belle, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Buel, was the first in Russell.
24The license question has been an issue at nearly every local election. During 1898 and 1899 no vote was taken and lieense was granted. Since then the results of the elections under the local option law have been as follows:
1900-For, 17; against, 14.
1901-Lieense carried.
1902-License carried.
ments, and a few other enterprises were started. A creamery was built in 1895.
In 1896 Messrs. Chamberlain & Hicks put up a building and engaged in the general merchandise business. F. S. Purdy erected another building in which he established a hardware store and kept the postoffice. The upbuilding of the little town was rapid during the pros- perous days of the late nineties and there came a demand for local govern- ment.
So early as January, 1895, an effort was made to secure incorporation and meetings were held with that object in view. No decisive action was taken, however. In December, 1896, the resi- dents claimed a population of 180 for Russell and there was again talk of asking for municipal government. In the summer of 1898 those interested pushed the matter to a successful con- clusion. The petition asking for an election to decide the question was favorably acted upon by the county law-making body July 18, 1898, and August 30 was the date set for holding the election. F. S. Purdy, R. A. Bigham and C. W. Hicks were named inspectors of the first election. Those favoring incorporation were successful by a majority of three votes. For the selection of the first village officers the election was held in Workmen Hall on September 13.
Following is the roster of village officers from the time of incorporation to the present :24
1898-President, Ephraim Skyhawk; trustees, E. Smith, J. W. Andrews, R. G. Webb; recorder, J. P. Peterson; treasurer, H. W. B. Harden;
1903-For, 32; against, 34.
1904-For, 28; against, 37.
1905-Against license earried.
1906-Against license earried.
1907-Again»1. license by 3 majority .
1908-License carried.
1909-Against license by 20 majority.
1910-For, 25; against, 34.
1911-For, 42; against, 26.
1912-For, 47: against, 29.
RUSSELL SCENES
Catholic Church,
+
1
Public School
Main Street
Birdseye View
143
Presbyterian Church
مد
1
207
HISTORY OF LYON COUNTY.
justices, F. S. Purdy, S. J. Smith; constables, M. H. Hanks, A. R. Carlisle.
IS99-President, J. W. Hlipple; trustees, R. G. Webb, O. S. Carlisle, Herman Ristow; recorder, J. P. Peterson; treasurer, H. W. B. Harden; assessor, William Daffer; justice, J. J. Schulte; constables, M. F. May, Ed. Nichols.
1900-President, J. W. Andrews; trustees, R. G. Webb, R. A. Bigham, S. W. Fellows; recorder, J. P. Peterson; treasurer, H. W. B. Harden; assessor, M. F. May; justiees, F. S. Purdy, G. O. Rask; constable, A. F. Wheeler.
1901-President, G. O. Rask; trustees, E. O. Webster, HI. C. Hanson, A. H. Minnick; recorder, E. Smith; treasurer, M. F. Cadwell; assessor, T. H. Conners; justice, E. Haase; constable, (. II. Bosteder.
1902-President, E. Metcalf; trustees, Hans Peterson, R. A. Bigham, A. E. Engberg; record- er, W. J. Huddleston; treasurer, M. F. Cadwell; assessor, J. M. Ryan; justices, C. P. Eastman, G. H. Thurston; constables, A. F. Wheeler, J. E. Jones.
1903-President, F. P. Willard; trustees, Hans Peterson, R. A. Bigham, H. W. B. Harden; recorder, W. J. Huddleston; treasurer, G. W. Cochrane; assessor, D. S. Phillips; constable, A. R. Carlisle.
1901-President, R. A. Bigham; trustees, H. W. B. Harden, D. S. Phillips, A. E. Engberg; recorder, W. J. Huddleston; treasurer, G. S. Willard; assessor, A. N. Daniels; justices, C. P. Eastman, F. S. Purdy; constable, F. G. Sage. 1905-President, R. A. Bigham; trustees, D. S. Phillips, E. L. Hall, A. E. Engberg; recorder, W. J. Huddleston; treasurer, G. S. Willard; assessor, Hans Peterson.
1906-President, R. A. Bigham; trustees, E. L. Hall, W. D. Hackett, Ephraim Skyhawk; recorder, F. S. Purdy; treasurer, G. S. Willard; assessor, Hans Peterson; justices, F. S. Purdy, T. D. Knapp.
1907-President, R. A. Bigham; trustees, Ephraim Skyhawk, P. Kavanaugh, W. D. Hackett; recorder, F. S. Purdy; treasurer, E. Smith; assessor, Hans Peterson; constables, E. G. Loringer, R. E. Jones.
1908-President, D. S. Phillips; trustees, L. G. Wallin, T. J. Willfong, Ephraim Skyhawk; recorder, J. N. Jones; treasurer, E. Smith.
1909-President, E. L. Hall; trustees, L. G. Wallin, William Murphy, E. G. Loringer; recorder, J. N. Jones; treasurer, E. Smith; assessor, Hans Peterson; constables, F. G. Sage, A. R. Carlisle.
1910-President, E. L. Hall; trustees, G. H. Walker, L. G. Wallin, A. R. Carlisle; recorder, R. A. Bigham; treasurer, J. B. Williams.
1911-President, E. L. Hall; trustees, L. G. Wallin, A. R. Carlisle, G. H. Walker; recorder, R. A. Bigham; treasurer, J. B. Williams; assessor, Hans Peterson; justice, F. E. Child.
1912-President, E. L. Hall; trustees, L. G. Wallin, G. H. Walker, R. E. Benson; recorder, F. E. Child; treasurer, J. B. Williams; assessor,
25The pioneer Presbyterian church was many miles from any settlement when it was built and for a score of years it was the place of worship of the people in- habiting a large scope of country. The church was
Hans Peterson; justices, F. S. Purdy, E. Smith; constable, E. G. Loringer.
The growth of Russell has not been great, but it has been substantial and the village has never taken a backward step. The population in 1905 was 275 and the census of 1910 gave it a popula- tion of 262.
Russell has had one serious confla- gration in its history. On the night of June 25, 1907, the fire fiend brought a loss of $8000. The hotel owned by Williain Murphy and leased to J. N. Jones, the hotel barn, the meat markets owned by Erick Bergman and George Beasley and two ice houses adjoining were destroyed.
THE SCHOOL.
Russell has a first-class school, which has been maintained for the last twenty- two years. The first building was a little structure erected in 1890. A few years later the voters of the district authorized a $2500 bond issue, the bonds were sold, and the present building was put up.
THE CHURCHES.
Two church societies are maintained in Russell, the Presbyterian and the Catholic.
The first Presbyterian church erected in Lyon county was located in Lyons township, not far from the future village of Russell. It was erected in 1873 and before a society of that de- nomination was organized in the village the people of Russell attended that church. 25
The first religious society in Russell was the Presbyterian Sunday School, organized with about fifty members in
built by Rev. Ransom Wait, the pioneer Presbyterian minister of the county. It was sold on February 10, 1894, to satisfy a mortgage of $400 held by the Presby- terian Church Extension Society.
208
HISTORY OF LYON COUNTY.
May, 1891, in S. W. Galbraith's new store building. Rev. L. McIntyre, of Balaton, and Superintendent Knutsen, of the Mankato Presbytery, were the organizers. Meetings were held in pri- vate homes, in the depot, and later in the little school house.
Steps were early taken to effect a church organization and on May 14, 1891, Rev. N. H. Bell, superintendent of churches for the Presbytery, and Rev. John Sinclair visited the place to look the field over. Prior to that time $400 had been raised by subscription toward church building and the church authorities promised to assist in the organization of a church and the erection of a building. It was not until 1894, however, that these things were accomplished.
In November, 1893, Rev. J. W. Hood began holding services in Russell and the following February he and his sister, Miss Bella Hood, held evangelistic services there. As a result the Russell Presbyterian church was organized with thirty-six members. Rev. Hood was installed as pastor in June, 1894, having charge also of the church in Island Lake township.26 The following fall a church home, 30x50 feet, was completed and dedicated practically free from debt.
THE LODGES.
The Ancient Order United Workmen, Degree of Honor, Modern Woodmen of
26Rev. J. W. Hood was pastor of the Russell church until February 12, 1903. Ile has been sueeeeded in turn by the following: Revs. Davies, C. D. Van Wagner, A. E. Evans, J. A. Lumley, H. P. Gray and T. C. Hill.
27The charter members of the Workmen lodge were MI. S. Fawcett, M. F. Cadwell, Jay Peterson, R. A. Bigham, F. S. Purdy, Hans Peterson, Frank Zvorak, C. W. Wilson, Ernest Smith and Ephraim Skyhawk.
28The present office holders of the Degree of Honor lodge are Florence Hall, Nina Burckhardt, Sadie Roberts, Augusta Purdy, Mabel Hackett, Lueinda Bigham, Lurline Johnson, Carrie Hanson, Ida Bergman. Ellen Larson, James Zvorak, Grace Johnson and Stella Carlaw.
29The charter members of the Woodmen lodge were A. L. Blanchard, C. M. Wilson, E. Z. Retzlaff, John A. Johnson, A. (. Riee, A. E. Wunderlich, M. G. Sparks,
America, Royal Neighbors of America and the Masonic orders are represented in Russell.
The oldest of the fraternal orders is the Workmen lodge, which was organ- ized June 22, 1897, with ten charter members.27 The lodge now has a mem- bership of fifty and owns a lodge build- ing.
Russell Lodge No. 13S, Degree of Honor, was organized January 25. 1899. It now has sixty-four members and meets regularly in Woodmen Hall. 28
The Modern Woodmen of America lodge began its existence on November 13, 1900, with twelve members, 29 which has been increased to sixty-six at the present time.
The Royal Neighbors lodge has existed since August 24, 1904,30 and now has fifty active members.
Coteau Lodge, A. F. & A. M., began its existence under dispensation in 1901. A charter was granted by the grand lodge in January, 1902, and the lodge was regularly constituted March 19 of the same year.31 The order now has fifty-seven members.
THE BANK.
The First State Bank of Russell is the successor of the first banking house of the village, a private bank denomi- nated the Bank of Russell. D. S. Phillips was president and G. W. A. H. Minniek, R. R. Sibley, William H. Potts, G. S. Willard and John Mattsson.
30The eharter members of the Royal Neighbors lodge were Kate Jones, John A. Johnson, Mary B. Rice, Margaret Bergman, Emma Bergman, Mary E. Owens, Anna A. Wilson, Sarah Moore, Margaret Willard, Kate E. Marsden, C. S. Willard, Charles Burt, Teresa Blanehard, C. Wilson, Guy Walker, Hugh Walker, E. L. Hall, Lucy Jones, L. Holden, W. S. Morgan, Effie Buell, Mrs. E. Burt, Kate Holden, Viola Thurston, Nellie Hipple, D. S. Owens and Gertrude Blanchard.
31The charter members of Coteau Lodge were Jacob Rouse, F. S. Purdy, MI. F. Cadwell, J. W. Andrews, F. P. Willard, W. D. Haekett, A. Holden, Ephraim Skyhawk, E. Metcalf, E. Smith, W. E. West, G. W. Cochrane, C. P. Eastman, Nels Rossen, Hans Peterson and R. A. Bigham.
209
HISTORY OF LYON COUNTY.
Cochrane cashier of the pioneer institu- tion. The First State Bank was or- ganized January 1, 1903, to continue the business and had a capital stock of $15.000. Among the incorporators were J. G. Schutz, C. B. Tyler, D. D. Forbes. V. B. Seward, J. C. Burchard and J. C. Lawrence. of Marshall, and D. S. Phillips and Hans Peterson, of Russell. The officers were as follows: E. N. Bailey. president; J. H. Tate, vice presi- dent : G. W. Cochrane, cashier.
A controlling interest in the First
State Bank was purchased in February, 1906, by C. H. Ross and W. E. C. Ross. The officers then became C. H. Ross. president; W. E. C. Ross and M. K. Simmons, vice presidents; and G. S. Willard, cashier. Upon the death of Mr. Willard in 1908 B. Leknes became cashier and J. B. Williams assistant cashier. The directors of the bank are C. H. Ross, W. E. C. Ross, M. K. Sim- mons, B. Leknes and George Olson. The home of the bank was erected in 190S.
CHAPTER XV.
GHENT AND TAUNTON-1878-1912.
N TOT far from where the North -. ing town and county seat of Lyon western railroad crosses Three- county became Marshall instead of a city planted where Ghent stands today. Mile creek, on the northwest quarter of section 15, Grandview town- ship, seven miles northwest of Marshall, is the little village of Ghent. Its eleva- tion above sea level is 1173 feet and its population 210. Ghent is the trading point for a populous and thrifty com- munity, made up for the most part of Belgian and French settlers, and is one of the most progressive little villages of Lyon county.
When the Winona & St. Peter (now the Northwestern) railroad was built in 1872 that part of Lyon county north- west from Marshall was thinly settled, but there were a few homesteaders near the point where the new road crossed Three-Mile creek and they made an effort to have a station located at the crossing. Conditions warranted the es- tablishment of only one station in Lyon county at that time, the settlers near the crossing. of the Redwood made a more active campaign, and the railroad officials located the station there instead of at Three-Mile creek. Thus the lead-
1The Grandview office-the predecessor of the Ghent office-was re-established in 1878 with J. M. Vaughn as postmaster. During the year of its establishment it was kept in the store of A. P. Ray and was then moved to the home of Mr. Vaughn, two and one-half miles northwest of the village. It was moved to the station in January, 1881, and a little later the name was changed to Ghent. R. F. Laythe became post- master and was succeeded by Mr. Capistrand, who left in the summer of 1883. Aime Van Hee served as
In time more settlers located in the vicinity of the crossing of Three-Mile creek, and to furnish them mail facilities a postoffice was established early in 1874. It was named Grandview, after the township, and Harrison A. Irish, a homesteader on section 14, was the postmaster. The office, supplied from Marshall, was maintained for a couple of years and was then discontinued, to be re-established at a later time. 1
It is the village of Grandview with which we have to deal in chronicling the early history of Ghent, for prior to 1881 that is the name the village bore. Grandview was founded in the spring of 1878. In April of that year A. P. Ray erected a store building and engaged in the grocery business. The venture was not a success and the store was discon- tinued in October. The Grandview townsite was platted by the railroad company on July 5, 1878, the survey having been made by Arthur Jacobi.2
J. M. Vaughn bought grain at Grand- postmaster from 1894 to 1902 and Mrs. Matilda Blodgett has since held the office.
2Twenty blocks were included in the plat. The streets running northwest and southeast were named Green, Barber, MeQuestion and Burlingame; those northeast and southwest, Bladwin, English, Chapman, Loomis and Maskell. There have been no additions platted.
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