USA > Minnesota > Rock County > An illustrated history of the counties of Rock and Pipestone, Minnesota > Part 19
USA > Minnesota > Pipestone County > An illustrated history of the counties of Rock and Pipestone, Minnesota > Part 19
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Whitney's, by County Auditor, May 28. 1898; surveyed by W. N. Davidson.
Parriotts, by Martha Jane Parriott and others, July 1, 1901; surveyed by W. N. David- son.
County Auditor's Outlots, by County Auditor, July 7, 1903; surveyed by D. E. Harvey.
"The lands within the present incorporated limits of the city were secured from the gov- ernment by the following named persons and on the dates given:
George W. Daniels, April 1, 1872, se14 2 .. Horace A. Gregory, April 1, 1875, sw 14 2.
St. Paul & Sioux City Railroad company, se 14 3, s1% 11, w1%nw 14 11. Joseph Jones. June 25, 1873. s16nw 14 10.
P. J. Kniss, July 12, 1876, n1/2se14. signe14 10. Charles O. Hawes, November 10, 1877, 01/2 ne 14 10.
Charles O. Ilawes, November 10, 1877, n1% ne144 10.
George W. Kniss, October 1. 1878, s1%se14 10. Philo Hawes, February 25, 1875, e1% ne 14. signe14 11.
seventy-five cents per bushel for wheat and thirty-tive cents for oats. Several other business buildings were started in 1822, but the early coming of winter in- terrupted the work. Howard Brothers ordered part of a stock of hardware, but were unable to complete their building in time to open in 1822. Mike MeCarthy laid the foundation for a saloon building. which he was unable to complete until the following spring.
The little village made progress in other matters besides the establishment of business houses during this prosperous year. In the summer mail rontes were in operation between the youthful town and Worthington, Sioux Falls, Dell Rap- ids and LeMars:12 bonds to the amount of $200 were voted to erect a school house in Luverne; there was talk of building a court house ; inducements were offered any one who would start a flouring mill. There was a big immigration to Rock county in 1822 and the pioneer business men enjoyed a lively trade.
Activities were resumed early in the spring of 1843. Howard Brothers cont- pleted their double store building and en- gaged in the general merchandise and hardware business; Mike McCarthy com-
10"The largest and most conspicuous building in Luverne is the Luverne house. Much of the present and prospective development of the town is attributed to the energy of Dr. Vary in getting his house in running order last season and to his unwavering confidence in the noble future of Luverne and vicinity. He carries the same energy into this new occupation, hotel- keeping. Let every traveler approach with per- fect confidence that as long as a pound of pro- visions remains in town he will be well fed, and as long as there is a square inch of room left in the 'school section' the doctor will not cease to say, 'Rest. traveler, rest.' "-Rock County Herald, May 23, 1873.
1There were several changes in the owner- ship of the pioneer drug store. L. A. Daniels bought W. Howard's interest, and for a time the business was conducted under the firm name of Wilson & Daniels; in March, 1873. Edward Mckenzie bought Dr. Wilson's interest. and he and 1. A. Daniels in May sold to 1. Craw- ford & Co.
12Mail was received daily from Worthington: on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from Sioux Falls and Yankton; on Thursdays from Dell Dapids; and on Saturdays from LeMars.
.
142
HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.
pleted his building during the summer and engaged in the saloon and restaurant business ; A. JJ. Bartlett and William Jac- obsen arrived in the spring, put up a build- ing. and started another general store :13 Crawford Brothers came to the new town, erected a building, and engaged in the drug business, buying the stock of Dan- iels & Mckenzie : Philo Hawes bought the old drug store building and moved his postoffice to the more central location ; the school house was completed and ready for occupancy in the spring; a church was founded: a bridge was constructed across Rock river in the town by private subscription : S. J. Jenkins brought a printing plant and on May 23 founded the Rock County Herald. The Luverne business firms represented by advertise- ments in the first issue of the pioneer journal were as follows:
Mckay & Wold, general merchandise. William IT. Glass, general merchandise.
Howard Brothers, general merchandise and hardware.
Bartlett & Jacobsen. general merchan- dise.
Dr. W. E. Vary. Luverne hotel.
1. Crawford & Co., drugs and groceries. S. J. JJenkins, Rock County Herald.
Helm Brothers (JJohn and James). fred store.
ITofelmann Brothers, blacksmith shop. W. II. Patterson, shoe repair shop.
Crosby & Kniss, real estate and insur- ance.
P. J. Kniss, notary public, county sur- vovor and locator.
R. O. Crawford, doctor. Charles F. Crosby, attorney. E. D. Hladley, attorney.
13"Messrs. Bartlett & Jacobsen, of Iowa, have been traveling over the country. looking for business location, and, like sensible men, have concluded to cast their lot with us. They are going to erect a store. 20x30 feet. to be stocked with a general assortment of mer- chandise."-Correspondence, dated April 5, 1873. in Jackson Republic.
James H. Lyttle, contractor and build- er.
Mckenzie & Gillham, stage line.
In less than two years Luverne had developed from two log cabins into a flourishing little village, in which were represented many lines of business, con- ducted by an exceptionally progressive class of men. The surrounding farm lands were rapidly becoming settled and devel- oped. The prospects seemed, indeed. flat- tering for the continued growth and ad- vancement of the little hamlet on the Rock. But the prospects were not fulfilled. Came the ruinous grasshopper days, and for three years Luverne was at a standstill. It was during the summer of 1823 that this calamity befehl. At once the growth of the down was checked, business was dull and there was a general feeling of dejec- tion. A town depending solely upon an agricultural community for support is left in pretty bad circumstances when the country has had a succession of nearly total crop failures, and Luverne was no exception to the rule. Business men ex- tended credit until they lost their own ; several failed and moved away. There was not only a cessation of progress, there was retrogression. Luverne township. in which the little village of Luverne was situated. had a population of 267 in 1825.
Although the hard times had not disap- peared or the grasshopper visitations ceas- ed, in 1816 came a revival of business in Luverne. This was caused by the com- ing of the first railroad. The first train was run into the village October 2. but in anticipation of the event times had been lively all summer. The work of building the town was taken up where it had been suspended three years before.14
14"Work on the many buildings in course of construction about town is progressing as rap- idly as the necessary material can be delivered on the ground. And altogether things are lively these days."-Rock County Herald, June 24. 1876.
143
HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.
A great life-awakening agency was the coming of the railroad, and when it be- caine apparent that the 1827 crop was to be saved, the town began life anew. There was some advancement in 1822.15 but it was not until the following year that the boom came. From early in the spring until lale in the fall new buildings were erected in all parts of the village. The sound of the hammer and saw was the music which attended the founding of new business enterprises : the streets were thronged with new arrivals. Thousands of families arrived in the white-topped "prairie schooners," seeking new homes in the land of promise, and the merchants of Luverne earned the reward that had been so long coming. It was during these thriving times that the residents of the county seat village decided to take up the burdens of municipal government.
The first steps toward securing incor- poration were taken in January, 1877. when the draft of a bill was made and presented to the legislature by a few in- terested parties. After this action had been taken, a mass meeting of the citizens was called for the purpose of discussing the matter. The meeting was held at the Luverne school house on the evening of January 30. There developed great op- position to the project, and those who had taken upon themselves the burden of framing the bill and presenting it to the
15The first hrick building erected in Luverne was put up by W. H. Wilson in the summer of 1877.
16During the years of village government the question of licensing saloons in Luverne was an issue. Even before incorporation, the ques- tion was decided by ballot in the Luverne town- ship elections several times. In 1876 and 1877 the against-license advocates won by small ma- jorities, and in the spring of 1878 they were successful by the overwhelming vote of 148 to 35. Prior to 1881 there was no provision in the charter for voting on the question, the matter being left in the hands of the village council. At each election during that period li- cense and against-license tickets were in the field and the issue was sharply defined. The first village council, which served less than two months. granted license, having been elected by an average vote of 115 against 67 for the prohibition candidates, but the second one, elected January 7, 1879, was against license.
legislature without first consulting the wishes of the citizens were severely ar- raigned. No vote was taken at that mass meeting to determine publie sentiment, but with the understanding that imme- diate action should not be taken, the bil! was allowed to pass the legislature with- out opposition. The bill "to incorporate the village of Luverne. in Rock county," was approved by the governor February 14, 1872. It provided for the incorpo- ration of sections 2, 3, 10 and 11, of Lu- verne township, and named E. D. Hadley, P. J. Kniss and William Jacobsen as the persons who should call the first election and conduct the preliminaries.
Out of deference to publie sentiment, the gentlemen named in the incorporation act did not take steps to put the aet into effect before the fall of 1878. Then, there having been such large accessions of population and material growth, on Oc- taber 21 they gave notice of an election to organize under the provisions of the act, naming November 12 as election day. Village officers were chosen on that date, and on the evening of November 15 the Luverne municipal government was be- gun, when the village council met for the first time. For twenty-six years Luverne was under this form of government and then became incorporated as a city. Those who held office under the village govern- ment were as follows:16
having been elected over the license faction by an average vote of 109 against 76. In 1880 a license council was elected, and the following year a no-license ticket was chosen by all average majority of 17. Direct local option was extended to Luverne by legislative act in 1881. and thereafter until the form of government was changed in 1904, the license question was an issue at nearly every election, with the fol- lowing results:
1882-For, 74; against, 23.
1883-For, 46; against, 2.
1884-License council by 8 majority.
1885-License council elected.
1886-For. 174; against, 75.
1887-License council elected. 1SSS-For, 191; against, 124.
1889-For. 163; against, 134.
1890-For. 178; against. 128.
1891-For. 179; against. 117.
1892-For. 236; against, 13G,
1893-For, 191; against, 110.
1894-For, 291; against, 137.
144
HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.
1878-President, R. Herren; trustees, W. E. Vary, J. P. Landin, W. H. Wilson; record- er, P. F. Kelley; treasurer, A. Erickson: justice, N. R. Reynolds; constable, D. G. Shell.
1879-President, P. F. Kelley; trustees, Daniel Stone, E. D. Hadley, S. Walters; re- corder, N. R. Reynolds; treasurer, A. Erick- son: constable, Horace Plum.
1880-President, R. Herren; trustees, Dan- iel Stone, W. H. Wilson, A. A. Clifford; re- corder, R. O. Crawford; treasurer, A. Erick- son.
1881-President, E. D. Hadley;" trustees, M. Webber, W. O. Crawford,18 W. H. Glass; recorder, A. E. Patterson; treasurer, B. S. Wold: justice, N. R. Reynolds;1ยบ constable, G. E. Bushnell.
1882-President, W. H. Halbert; trustees, A. Ross, P. R. Schuyler, P. F. Kelley;20 recorder. J. L. Helm; treasurer, B. S. Wold.
1883-President, Ezra Rice;" trustees, A. Ross, P. R. Schuyler, F. S. Gibson; recorder, J. A. Harroun; treasurer, A. Erickson; jus- tice, R. M. Click; constable, F. D. Putney.
1884-President, P. J. Kniss; trustees, A. Ross, H. J. Miller, F. S. Gibson; recorder, J. H. Gray; treasurer, A. Erickson; justice, E. D. Hadley.
1885-President, H. J. Miller: trustees, W. T. Gibson, N. Nelson, J. D. Robinson : recorder, M. Webber; treasurer, W. P. Hurl- but; justices, R. W. Cooley, R. M. Click; constable, H. H. Andrews.
1886-President, 11. J. Miller; trustees, J. H. Gray, J. L. Spencer, G. C. Huntington; = 2 recorder. M. Webber; treasurer, William Jacobsen; justice, A. Barck; constable, W. Il. Maxwell.
1887-President, H. J. Miller; trustees, G. W. Snook, J. W. Gerber, Philip Peteler; 23 recorder, S. B. Nelson: treasurer, William Jacobsen; justice, R. M. Click.2
1888-President, William Jacobsen;" trus- tees, J. W. Gerber, Philo llawes, G. W. Snook; recorder, M. Webber; treasurer,
1895-For, 237; against, 141. 1896-For, 219; against, 118.
1897-Not an issue. 1898-For, 240; against, 146.
1899-For, 258; against, 192.
1900-Not an issue.
1901-For, 269: against, 115.
1902-Not an issue.
1903-For, 227; against, 166. 1904-For, 269: against, 160. Under the city charter no provision is made for voting on the question and license has since been granted.
1Resigned. The council on May 6 elected 11. J. Miller to fill the vacancy.
" Removed from the village and was succeeded by Daniel Stone on May 13.
1Succeeded by R. M. Click October 17, 1882.
"Resigned to accept appointment as street commissioner. C. O. Hawes was elected to the vacancy but he resigned soon after. William Jacobsen was elected to serve out the term in June, IS82.
"Resigned May 1 and was succeeded by E. D. ITadley.
Mark Swedberg; justice, A. Barck; consta- bles, Edward Mckenzie, W. H. Marshall.
1889-President, W. A. Wright; trustees, W. T. Goodhue, J. A. Kennicott, Henry Holelmann; recorder, M. Webber; treasurer, Mark Swedberg; justice, M. Webber; con- stable, F. D. Putney.
1890-President, J. A. Kennicott: trustees, Henry Hofelmann, W. T. Goodhue, W. F. Kendall; recorder, Jens Billington; treas- urer, Mark Swedberg; assessor, W. T. Gib- son; justice, A. Barck; constable, J. J. Myers.
1891-President, J. F. Mahoney; trustees, W. F. Kendall, P. J. Kniss, S. W. Thomp- son;" recorder, A. Barck; treasurer, Mark Swedberg: assessor, C. R. Henton; justice, M. Webber; constable, H. Henderson.
1892-President, W. F. Kendall: trustees, E. L. Dobell, Henry Hofelmann, J. W. Ger- ber:" recorder, A. Barck; treasurer, Mark Swedberg: assessor, William Macfadden; justice, J. O. Helgeson; constable, A. E. Maderson.
1893-President, W. H. Wilson: trustees, John H. Sanders,28 E. H. Bronson, E. L. Do- bell:29 recorder, C. R. Henton; treasurer, Mark Swedberg; assessor, William Macfad- den: constable, J. J. Myers.
1894-President, A. P. Adams; trustees, L. L. Bryan, H. J. Themte, T. E. Jones; re- corder. W. F. Kendall; treasurer, A. Ross; assessor, Thomas Barck; justice, J. O. Hel- geson: constable, M. M. Jensen.
1895-President, A. P. Adams; trustees, L. L. Bryan, T. E. Jones, C. Heinz; recorder, E. S. Rogers; treasurer, A. Ross; assessor, V. C. Mead; justice, M. Webber; constable, .I. J. Myers.
1896-President, A. P. Adams; trustees, L. L. Bryan, T. E. Jones, C. Heinz; recorder, E. S. Rogers; treasurer. A. Ross; assessor, V. C. Mead; justice, William Bateson; con- stable, W. C. Turner.
1897-President, John Kelley; trustees, 1. L. Bryan, W. E. E. Greene, E. J. Schmidt;
"Did not qualify. Henry Hofelmann ap- pointed.
2Resigned February 7, 1SSS. Was succeeded hy G. H. Honton.
24Died in July. 1887. At a special election held August 11 N. R. Reynolds elected to the va- caney.
"Resigned and on May 1 was succeeded by Philo Hawes. Mr. Hawes, who had been elected trustee, was succeeded in that capacity by C. II. TIenton.
"Resigned January 5. 1892. G. W. Millhouse appointed to the vacancy.
27Did not qualify. J. II. Graaf appointed to the vacancy May 6, 1891.
2yResigned December 5. 1893, and was sur- ceeded by J. A. Konnicott.
"Did not qualify, and on March 15 M. Web- ber appointed. Mr. Webber resigned as trus- for September 5. whereupon V. 6. Mead was named his successor.
145
HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.
recorder, E. S. Rogers; treasurer, A. Ross; assessor, V. C. Mead; justice, M. Webber; constable, J. J. Myers.
1898-President, John Kelley; trustees, ). P. Hong, S. L. Chapin, P. A. Christianson; recorder, E. C. Schwartz; treasurer, A. Ross; assessor, L. J. Okre; justice, William Bateson; constable, W. C. Turner.
1899-President, John Kelley; trustees, S. L. Chapin, O. S. Myhre, Benjamin Dodds; recorder, E. C. Schwartz; treasurer, A. Ross; assessor, L. J. Okre; justices, M. Webber, N. R. Reynolds; constable, J. J. Myers.
1900-President, William Bateson; trus- tees, .Iames Furlow, B. F. Woodrow, E. B. Doolittle: recorder, E. C. Schwartz; treas- urer. A. Ross; assessor, W. N. Davidson: constable, W. C. Turner.
1901-President, James Furlow; trustees, B. F. Woodrow, C. A. Yaeger, E. B. Doo- little; recorder, E. C. Schwartz; treasurer, A. Ross; assessor, J. S. Joles; justices, M. Webber, N. R. Reynolds; constable, J. J. Myers.
1902-President, B. F. Woodrow; trus- tees, C. A. Yaeger, E. N. Sisson, W. J. Kin- ne; recorder, E. W. Backer; treasurer, A. Rocs: assessor, J. S. Joles; constable, Char- les Crego.
1903-President, James Furlow; trustees, W. J. Kinne, George Leet, S. A. D. Ken- nedy; recorder, E. C. Schwartz; treasurer, A. Ross; assessor, J. S. Joles; justices. W. H. Armstrong, N. R. Reynolds; constable. Ira M. Sanders.
1904-President, E. A. Brown; trustees, W. J. Kinne, George Leet, S. A. D. Ken nedy; recorder, E. C. Schwartz; treasurer, A. Ross; assessor. J. S. Joles; constables, Charles Crego, J. J. Myers.
After the boom days of 1818. came three years of comparatively quiet times. the year 1819, particularly, being classed as "dull." The crops of 1880 and 1881 were blighted. having the effect to hold in check the activities of the town, although there was no decline. But so great had heen the growth during the late seventies that when the federal census of 1880 was taken Luverne had a population of 619 and was the largest town in southwestern Minnesota.30
The three years of quiet times preced- ed an unprecedented era of prosperity in the history of Laverne. During 1882 to 1886, inclusive, the village made rapid
strides toward the goal of greatness, more than doubling its population during that period. adding largely to its business in- terests: and taking rank as the best town of southwestern Minnesota, as well as the largest. The accomplishments were made possible by the rapid settlement and de- velopment of the rich lands of Rock conn- ty. by abundant harvests, by the building of a new line of railway through the town and by the general prosperous times.
The first year of this cycle of advance- ment was 1882. There was great activity in building operations, among the prin- cipal items being a creamery, a new school house and a business block, 60x75 feet, at the corner of Main and Cedar streets. in which were housed a new bank, the post- office and a drug store. Said the Rock County Herald June 9. 1882: "Luverne is enjoying a boom of a pattern the mum- berless towns of northern Minnesota and Dakota that are forcing themselves so conspicuously upon public attention would dlo well to consider and emulate. There is greater activity in building operations this year than at any previous time in the history of Luverne."
The following directory of the busi- ness finns in Luverne in the spring of 1883 gives us a birdseye view of the town at that time and is interesting in compari- son with the directory of just ten years before, which has been reproduced on pre- ceding pages :
Banks-Bank of Luverne, P. J. Kniss, president; Rock County Bank, William Jac- obsen, president.
General Merchandise-Landin & Nelson, B. S. Wold, W. H. Glass, S. S. Walters, M. F. Battelle, H. W. Helm & Co., A. Erick- scn & Son, A. L. Stoughton.
Groceries-P. R. Schuyler, D. Stone, L. Hollis, E. E. Ells, J. B. Kelley.
Hardware-Gerber & Ross, Peteler Broth ers.
Drugs-Dr. R. O. Crawford, Mead & Mill- house.
443; St. James, 434; Heron Lake, 226: Pipestone, 222; Adrian, 193: Edgerton, 86.
"Other towns in southwestern Minnesota had population as follows: Worthington. 636; Fair- mont. 541; Jackson. 501; Madella, 489; Windom,
8
146
HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.
Books & Stationery-Harroun & Hawes, Mead & Millhouse.
Hotels-Merchants Hotel, M. MeCarthy, proprietor; Luverne House, Joles & Johnson, proprietors; Freeman Avenue House, J Redfield, proprietor.
Furniture-Saxton Brothers, C. C. Drew. Millinery-H. W. Helm & Co., Mrs. N. A. Crowell.
Clothing-P. R. Schuyler and the general dealers.
Jewelers-Harroun, Hawes & Swedberg; R. M. Click.
Lumber Dealers-Herren & Wadleigh, J. L. Spencer.
Wood and Coal-Patterson & Walters, F. A. Hyke, Peavey Brothers, M. Pedrick, M. F. Battelle, Gibson Brothers.
Farm Machinery-Gibson Brothers, Stone & Wold, Ezra Rice, M. F. Battelle.
Grain Dealers-Ezra Rice, Stone & Wold, F. A. Hyke, Patterson & Walters.
Harness Makers-F. M. Scheble, Albert Hyke.
Shoemakers-C. Millhouse, C. Erickson.
Meat Markets-Putney & Goethel, J. T. Brennan, Charles Andre.
Livery Stables-Gibson Brothers, A. B. Wellman.
Saloons-A. McGrath, B. B. Champion, M. McCarthy, D. Powell, Ralph Jaybush, R. B. Cosgriff, Eugene Winegar.
Physicians-Dr. A. E. Spalding, Dr. R. O. Crawford, Dr. F. Il. Kilgore.
Attorneys-E. D. Hadley, N. R. Reynolds, M. Webber, S. A. Mead, E. H. Canfield, J. F. Cornish, W. N. Davidson.
Dentist-Dr. C. A. Palmer.
Carpenters and Builders-Jones & Soutar, Minard & Dixon, J. H. Lyttle, G. S. Adron, I. A. Moreanx.
Masons and Contractors-P. N. Gillham, O. A. Bullett.
Barbers-Hurd & Lewis, T. J. McDermott. Dray and Express Lines-John Green, H. F. Oliver.
Restaurants-N. J. Click, A. Kimball.
Flour Mills-Luverne Mills, W. 11. Wil- son, proprietor; Estey Mills, A. R. Hilde- brandt, proprietor.
Flour and Feed-W. H. Wilson, Patterson & Walters, L. Hollis, F. A. Hyke.
Photographer-F. N. Robinson.
Real Estate Agencies- Bank of Luverne, Rock County Bank, Kniss & Gray,
Farm Loan Office-Edward P. Brooks.
Creamery-Rock County Creamery, Ray- mond & Welker, proprietors.
Blacksmiths-G. H. Henton, Hotelmann Brothers, A. B. Wellman, Abraham Oleson.
Wagon Makers-W. F. Kendall, Hofel- mann Brothers.
3"At no time in the history of Luverne were The indications of solid prosperity more abun- dant or the prospects for future growth and de- velopment more manifest and unmistakable than those which confront the spectator on every hand at the present time. There is everywhere manifest a general awakening from the lethargy consequent upon hard times and crop failures
Luverne continued to grow and improve in 1883 with a steady certainty that indi- cated financial health and prosperity.21 An authority estimated the value of the building improvements during the sea- sons of 1882 and 1883 at over $85,000, Most of the new buildings were creditable structures, and village real estate appre- ciated in value rapidly. But this was only the beginning. During 1884 carpenters. Imilders and masons were in steady de- mand and had far more work than they conld handle, and structures to the value of $50,000 were put up. The Burlington railroad was built to the village in late summer and added to the general activity.
The year of greatest advancement in the boom days of the eighties was 1885. The country surrounding was developing at a rapid rate, and Luverne kept pace with the general advancement. The Sioux Falls Press in October said this good word for the neighboring village : "As an illustration of the thrift and en- terprise of the people of Luverne, may be mentioned the building boom which has taken place this year. It is doubtful whether any town of its size can show as good a record for one year as Luverne. The people of that village may well fool proud of their push and enterprise." Many of the handsome brick and stone business blocks which today adorn the principal streets were erected. The value of the building improvements during 1885 was more than $100,000.32 The census of that year showed a population of 1346, a gain of nearly one hundred per cent in five years.
The village was handicapped to some extent during 1885 and 1886 by a diph-
and a new era has been ushered in."-Rock County Herald, June 16, 1883.
3"Among the items of expenditure were the following: B. B. Champion, brick building and other improvements. $16,000; addition to the school building. $7500; P. J. Kniss, jasper front stone builling, $7000; 0. C. Drew, jasper front
Diagram of the Business Center of Lu Verne, Rock County, Minn.
Public School.
ATENCR.
STREET,
COURT HOUSE GROUNDS ;
--
7
UTHEET.
LUVERYN
-
LINCOLN
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