USA > Minnesota > Fillmore County > History of Fillmore County, Minnesota (Volume 1) > Part 46
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Treasurers-N. P. Colburn, March 31, 1866, to March 30, 1867; W. A. Hotchkiss, April 13, 1867, to March 26, 1870; W. W. Fife, April 4, 1870, to October 9, 1871, May 10, 1878, to September 11, 1882, August 10, 1895, to July 16, 1897; A. Howell, October 9, 1871, to May 10, 1878; Lars O. Hamre, September 11, 1882, to July 17, 1886; H. C. Gullickson, August 7, 1886, to July 20, 1889; C. H. Conkey, August 3, 1889, to August 10, 1895; G. W. Robin- son, August 7, 1897, to July 15, 1899; H. R. Wells, August 1, 1899, to January 12, 1910 (resigned) ; C. M. Anderson, January 12, 1910, to the present time.
Superintendents and principals-Up to 1891 the records speak of the man in charge of the schools as principal and superin- tendent interchangeably and indiscriminately. Since 1891 the one in charge of the schools has been known uniformly as super- intendent, and since 1905 there has been, in addition, a lady principal. The appointments have been as follows: Superintend- ents and principals-E. J. Thompson, March 1, 1866, Levi Wright, October 31, 1868; W. H. Palmer, July 21, 1871; Philip H. Brady, August 12, 1875; E. P. Hickok, July 6, 1886; W. J. Alexander, July 28, 1887. Superintendents-E. E. Lockerby, August 3, 1891; W. W. Barnum, March 16, 1901; F. E. Lurton, August 11, 1903; Joel N. Childs, March 7, 1908; L. U. Towle, March 20, 1911. Prin- cipals-Gertrude Blair, appointed April 8, 1905, refused to serve;
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Clara B. French, appointed April 8, 1905; Anna Hills, appointed March 31, 1906; Anna Woodhu, April 3, 1908; Amanda J. Hanson, May 29, 1908; Ina Scherrebeck, appointed April 4, 1911, refused to serve; Elizabeth Sheldon appointed April 4 1911.
The high school is maintaining at the present time the usual classical courses and in addition offers well sustained courses in manual training, domestic science, elementary agriculture, and normal methods. The enrollment has reached the entire seating capacity of the high school assembly room-85. Plans for asso- ciation with neighboring rural districts under the Benson-Lee act are being matured and a well developed agricultural department will then become a feature of the work. In connection with the normal department a room has been fitted for a model rural school, pupils being taken from the various grades for this room.
Chatfield Schools. A small district schoolhouse was built in Chatfield in 1856, but the town had no public schools worthy of the name except the Chatfield Academy until March 8, 1862, when the Chatfield school district was incorporated by a special act of the legislature, under which act it is still conducted. In that year a system of graded schools was inaugurated on a small scale. The attendance and teaching force rapidly increased, and in 1865 a public school building was erected which was the pride of the town and one of the best in southeastern Minnesota. From time to time smaller additional buildings were erected, and for many years the subject of building a large and substantial school struc- ture was agitated, resulting in the erection, in 1888, of the present fine brick school building, to which an addition was made in 1899, the whole costing with its equipment from $25,000 to $30,000.
Although a high school department was conducted from 1865, the first formal commencement was held on May 14, 1880, when a class of two, Kate Atchison and Emma Glissman, was graduated. Since that time the number of graduates has reached about 240.
Among the former principals or superintendents of the Chat- field schools the following names are most familiar: Gehiel L. Case, -Haines, E. J. Thompson, G. D. Crafts, Levi Wright, J. M. Miles, R. H. Battey, D. Davis, J. F. Giles, Helen A. Dunlap, Lela M. Klampe, E. J. Donaldson, F. J. Bomberger, II. L. Brown and R. L. H. Lord.
In 1912 E. B. Forney was elected to assume the duties of superintendent. Under him is a staff consisting of high school principal and two assistants, seven grade teachers, and instructors in music, domestic economy and agriculture.
By the special act under which the district exists, the board
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consists of five members. From 1865 to 1904, a period of thirty- nine years, G. H. Haven acted as secretary. He was succeeded by E. W. Rossman, who served for part of a year, and then by Charles L. Thurber until 1907, when the place was filled by G. A. Haven, who still holds the position (1912). Dr. Charles M. Cooper was elected trustee in 1900 and is now president of the board. Hon. Joseph Underleak and Dr. F. L. Smith are also trustees, and George R. Thompson is treasurer.
The aim of the board has always been to maintain as good a school as possible with the means the district could reasonably afford. In the fall of 1911, under the Benson-Lee act, depart- ments of domestic economy and agriculture were introduced, which have greatly increased the efficiency of the schools. The domestic economy department is fully equipped with the best of apparatus, and conducted by a very capable specialist in her line. The department of agriculture, under its director, C. H. Hanson, a man particularly well qualified for his place, has assumed a position of unique importance, not only in the curriculum of the school, but by his co-operation with the farmers and extension work in the rural school districts, he has done much toward inter- esting the farmers in scientific agriculture. Associated with the Chatfield district are five rural districts in Fillmore county and two in Olmsted county, and under this enlarged associated dis- trict the two industrial departments are carried on .- By George H. and George A. Haven.
Fountain Schools. Fountain has a graded school, with a two- year high school course. Four teachers are employed. The pres- ent school building was erected in 1893. The school board con- sists of L. S. Scott, chairman ; J. O. Solie, treasurer; and Hiram Johnson, clerk.
The Mabel Schools. District 6 was organized in 1857, com- prising eight sections of land and including what is now the vil- lage of Mabel. The district has ever since retained and still retains the same number and the same territory. The first school- house in the district was erected in 1857, about a quarter of a mile east of the corporate limits of the present village of Mabel, and the first school was held in 1858, by James McDonald, teacher. In 1880 the first schoolhouse was found to be inade- quate, and a new building was erected in the village of Mabel, on the site where the present school building stands, and the old schoolhouse was converted into a dwelling. The new schoolhouse contained three good sized rooms, and the teaching corps con- sisted of one principal and two grade teachers. In 1900 the pres- ent school building was erected and on the 1st of October of that year the new building was opened for school, with Thomas Cahill
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as principal and five grade teachers. Thomas Cahill held the position as principal until the end of the school year in the spring of 1905. In the fall of 1905 the school district was changed from a common to an independent district, and is now known as Inde- pendent District No. 6. The same fall the high school was insti- tuted and A. Ray Kent was elected superintendent and Jessie Abbott principal. In the spring of 1906 the first class was graduated from the Mabel high school, the members of that class being Gertrude E. Bacon, Hattie M. Dayton, Mathilda E. Fossum, Floy M. Glise, Walter E. Larson and Leonard Stensland. In the fall of 1907 Charles Youngquist succeeded A. Ray Kent as super- intendent of the school, and in the fall of 1911 Mr. Youngquist was succeeded by Oliver D. Billing, the present superintendent. The members of the present board of education are E. C. Erick- son, A. L. Tollefson, H. H. Hammer, A. A. Miner, M. C. Chris- topherson and E. G. Stensland. The school, besides the graded and high schools, maintains departments of manual training, domestic science and agriculture .- By H. H. Hammer.
The Wykoff School. The recorded history of School District 104, Wykoff, dates back only a comparatively short time. Its unwritten history is heard from the lips of many, who, in their younger days, received a part, if not all, of their education within its halls. The first school building of which there is record is now the west part of the William E. Ploof home, until recently known as the Park Hotel. To the original building in 1880 another room was added under the principalship of Mr. Hunt, now a farmer near Fountain, Minn. This was outgrown and in 1894 a new building 42x50 feet with basement was erected at the corner of Line and Bartlett streets. This burned in the spring of 1897 and the school year, under the principal, Ralph Turner, was completed at the village hall. The present four-room struc- ture erected upon the site of the burned building was ready for occupancy early in the fall of 1897. The property of the district is valued at $5,000. It owns a library of 500 volumes, nearly 2,000 text-books and apparatus worth $200. The enrollment is over 100, doing two years' high school work in addition to the first eight grades. There are three teachers besides the super- visor of music and the principal. The members of the school board for July, 1911, to July, 1912, were Dr. M. D. Ogg, chair- man; A. G. Spies, clerk, and W. S. Kidd, treasurer. Scattered throughout this state and others are many well known school men and men of note in other lines who in the past have been principals of the Wykoff school. Twice in its history it has had a woman as principal, the first about 1895 and during the year 1911-1912. Those who have been its students, too, are widely scattered, hold-
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ing more or less responsible positions abroad or pursuing life in the vicinity of Wykoff .- By Edna I. Murphy, Principal.
The Harmony high school building was remodeled and en- larged in 1903. The Rushford high school building is one of the finest in this part of the state.
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CHAPTER XXXIV.
THE NEWSPAPERS.
Importance of the Press-Present Papers in Fillmore County- First Paper in the County-History of Defunct Newspapers- Story of the Present Weeklies Their Beginnings, Growth, Influence and Importance-Edited by F. E. Langworthy.
The newspaper of today is the history of tomorrow. Editors seldom think they write history. Your copy of the local paper may be used to wrap the family laundry, cover the panty shelf or be placed under the carpet. In a month from the time a news- paper is issued it would be difficult to locate a single copy, but in the newspaper office itself, it has been preserved and placed upon file. These files become an asset of the office and increase in value as the papers become yellow with age. Here in the musty volumes is found the history of your town, your county, your state. The history of this county could not be written were it not for the records of newspaper files. The State Historical Society recognizes the value of newspaper history and a complete file of every newspaper in the state is kept by the Historical Society. Inaccurate history, do you say! Perhaps so, and yet the most accurate it is possible to get, and infinitely more nearly accurate than almost any other historical source. The editor of a newspaper not only means to get correct information, but uses the source method for every important article he prints. Each day, if he edits a daily, each week, if a weekly, his effort stands before the bar of public criticism. His critics are those intimately concerned in the articles published. They do not trust to memory, hearsay, legend or tradition. They are eye or ear witnesses or star actors in the passing drama. They surely are trustworthy critics. With them the newspaper must pass muster. If facts are not stated correctly, they are corrected. The news- paper that is not substantially accurate cannot and does not live. Time gives authenticity. Criticism is forgotten, minor inaccur- acies overlooked and the newspaper record stands as the accepted history of an event. A newspaper is not mere gossip. It is a record of passing events. Reports of buildings, new industries, biographies, social events, religious movements, births, deaths, politics, policies, honors that come to people, crimes which blacken
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F. E. LANGWORTHY
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our record, onward and backward moves in affairs; disasters, amusements, accidents, epidemics all make up the newspaper history of a community. It is the mirror of life as it is daily lived here and now.
The newspaper is everywhere recognized as the adjunct of civilization. The town, however far removed from the busy marts of trade, clamors for a newspaper. Never satisfied until it gets one, and never satisfied after it has one. The newspaper is the nucleus of criticism for the entire community. Everyone knows how it should be run better than the editor. Its policies and its literature are criticized and yet people want it and at heart are loyal to it, for they recognize its value. They read it and want it to push along movements they are interested in. A religious revival, county fair, market day, civic improvement measures, new policies or politicians-all need the newspaper to give them an impetus. The press must arouse the people. Through no other avenue can so many be reached. A mass meeting can touch but a mere handful compared with the numbers reached in each issue of a newspaper.
Fillmore county has no daily papers. It has thirteen weeklies as follows: The Peterson Times, the Preston Republican, the Spring Valley Sun, the Spring Valley Mercury-Vidette, the Chat- field News-Democrat, the Wykoff Enterprise, the Fountain Review, the Lanesboro Leader, the Peterson Herald, the Rush- ford Star-Republican, the Harmony News, the Chatfield Reporter and the Mabel Record.
The Fillmore County Pioneer, published in Carimona, in 1855, was the first newspaper in Fillmore county. All the town pro- prietors of Carimona were interested in the project, but E. R. Tarsk was the nominal publisher. He was succeeded by O. J. Wright, who changed the name to the Carimona Telegraph. Mr. Wright transferred the paper to I. W. Lucas, who continued the paper for some time. Most of the editorials in this paper were written by H. C. Butler, an early lawyer. In speaking of the establishment of this paper, before the Fillmore County Old Set- tlers' Association, Mr. Butler, in 1897, said:
"I came to Carimona July 8, 1855, having walked from Winona, tired and footsore. I was induced to locate in Carimona by my friends, Hon. William Pitt Murray, of St. Paul, one of the most important factors in the moulding of ter- ritorial Minnesota. Five years before that time, in 1850, I spent the summer in his office in St. Paul. He induced me to locate in Carimona because himself, with Hon. David Olmsted, the first mayor of St. Paul, and Henry D. Huff, one of the earliest set- tlers, and one of the leading business men of Winona, were among the proprietors of the town. It was then expected that Cari-
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mona, Oronoco and Cannon Falls would become the three most important inland cities of Minnesota. In this instance prophecy has not become history. Carimona was named from an Indian chief, a friend of David Olmsted.
"My first enterprise was to start a newspaper. The town proprietors contributed funds, and I put in what money I had for current expenses. I went to La Crosse and bought an old printing press which had been the pioneer printing press in Wis- consin, and we started a newspaper to boom the town and the county, called the Fillmore County Pioneer. That was the first newspaper in Fillmore county and the second in southern Minne- sota. I wrote the editorials for a while until I got enough law business to occupy my time. I do not remember whether I was at any time the nominal editor or not. I preserved some copies of the paper for many years. The establishment changed pro- prietors several times, but finally shared the fate of many other brilliant enterprises. I saw the old press take its departure for some town in Iowa, with a sigh of relief. My interest, which cost me several hundred dollars, I sold for some real estate which I sold for $50, after paying taxes on it for ten years."
CHATFIELD.
The first number of the "Chatfield Democrat" was published on September 11, 1856, in Chatfield, by C. C. Hemphill, who started it upon the principles of Democracy. It was a six-column quarto sheet, all home print. In 1860 C. C. Hemphill sold the paper to J. W. Bishop, who was editor and manager of the "Democrat" for a little over a year, when it again changed hands. In the spring of 1861 John Harrison McKenny and his younger brother, James S., purchased the "Chatfield Democrat," which they published until the death of James S., J. H. continuing its publication, with the help of his sons until his death, which occurred in May, 1878. His two sons, Sylvanus S. and Harry B., then became the pub- lishers of the "Chatfield Democrat," making it a strong defender of the Democratic principles which their father so long and ably advocated. In October, 1883, R. McNeill bought the paper of the MeKenny boys and changed its politics from Democratic to Republican. He continued to publish the paper until the spring of 1889, when he sold it to F. T. Drebert. At this time the size was changed from a seven-column folio to a six-column quarto. In May, 1894, a second newspaper was started in Chatfield, called the "Chatfield News," with A. M. Wallace as editor and publisher. This paper changed hands several times, finally becoming the property of E. F. Harnish and F. G. Stoudt in 1899. In May, 1902, Messrs. Harnish and Stoudt, of the "Chatfield News," pur-
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chased the "Chatfield Democrat" of F. T. Drebert and consoli- dated the two papers, continuing the publication under the name of the Chatfield News-Democrat. It is a six-column quarto, independent in politics. This is the oldest paper now in exist- ence in Fillmore county, and never during its existence of over half a century has it postponed or missed an issue nor issued any- thing but its full sized sheet and always in its regular form.
PRESTON.
The Preston Times, established in 1860, in reality dates back to the "Chatfield Republican," established in 1856, and the third newspaper in the county. The first issue of the "Chatfield Repub- lican" was printed on Saturday, October 25, 1856, at Chatfield. T. B. Twiford & Co. were the publishers, and H. W. Holley, editor. It was a six-column folio, furnished for $2 a year, if paid in advance, and $3 if paid later. The imprint declared it to be "A Weekly Family Newspaper, Devoted to Literature, Science, Art, Education, Mechanism, Agriculture, Horticulture, Politics, and General Intelligence." Although Minnesota had not become a state, and consequently had no vote in the presidential election, yet the names of "Fremont and Dayton" were run at the head of the new paper, and moral, if no more substantial support, given to the cause. On June 13, 1857, the names of O. Brown and II. W. Holley were announced as publishers. With number one, volume two, the paper was enlarged to seven columns and correspond- ingly lengthened. The whole paper was set up in the office, and it was a well edited and well printed journal. In 1859 the editor of the "Republican" was sued by the editor of the "Democrat" for libel, and a jury returned a verdict placing the damages at $100.
November 6, 1860, the paper was removed to Preston, and became the "Preston Republican," starting with a new volume and number. Elder Burbank became the editor with the removal to Preston, Brown having moved to Mankato in 1859, and Holley to Winnebago City in 1860, the latter becoming receiver of the public land office. Burbank sold to F. W. Hotchkiss, who man- aged it until turned over to his brother. With the number com- mencing on February 6, 1867, W. A. Hotchkiss took charge as editor and proprietor. The paper was a seven-column folio, all set up in the office, and was a fearless Republican sheet. In December, 1873, Major Hotchkiss procured a New Haven power press. On September 17, 1875, the paper, with the material and presses, was removed to Austin, and the name changed to "Mower and Fillmore County Republican," and so with number forty- seven, volume fourteen, its career in Preston came to a close for
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a short time. In October, 1876, Centennial year, the "Preston Republican" was re-established by P. P. Wall as editor and pro- prietor. The Masonic Hall, still standing, was erected in 1875, and the following year a part of it was fitted up as a printing office for P. P. Wall, when he re-established the "Republican."
Henry S. Bassett purchased the paper from P. P. Wall, still retaining the old number and volume. Judge Bassett within a year transferred the paper to Henry R. Wells, who changed the name to "Preston Democrat" and afterwards sold it to Samuel A. Langum. Mr. Langum took possession in July, 1886, and changed the name to the Preston Times, its present title, still retaining the old number and volume, dating back to 1860. Mr. Langum has since continued to edit the paper, which is one of the influential journals of southern Minnesota. His foreman, Julius Johnson, has been with him since he first acquired an interest in the paper twenty-six years ago. In October, 1903, Mr. Langum sold a half interest in the paper to his son, Alfred H. Langum, who now has charge of the business end of the paper. During his administration of affairs the paper has greatly increased in circulation and in advertising patronage, and his infusion of new blood into the concern has been advantageous to the paper in every way. The "Times" is now published from its own build- ing, its size increased to a six-column quarto, and its eight pages are filled with matter of its own composition.
The Preston Republican. September 17, 1875, Maj. W. A. Hotchkiss took his "Preston Republican" to Austin, and later another "Preston Republican" was started. Major Hotchkiss changed the name of his paper to the "Mower and Fillmore County Republican," and with number forty-seven, volume 14, its career in Preston came to an end. In 1879 it became the organ of the national party, and its name was changed to the "National Republican." In September, 1880, it went to Minneapolis, and in August, 1881, it was brought back to Preston. Major Hotch- kiss issued the paper for many years. In October, 1903, the "National Republican" was purchased by Frank J. Ibach, the name changed from "National Republican" to "Preston Repub- lican," and the politics changed from Populist to Republican. The paper is well edited, enjoys a good circulation, and has con- siderable influence. The office is well equipped with modern machinery, including a linotype machine, and is well equipped for newspaper publishing and job printing.
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The Fillmore County Democrat was issued at Preston Decem- ber 13, 1900, with HI. W. Haislet as editor. It flourished a short time.
The Preston Journal. In 1856 a firm under the name of Getzel & Co. issued a prospectus for the Preston Journal, and having
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issued a single number, as it is stated, and secured some assistance in the undertaking, failed to go on with the enterprise.
RUSHFORD.
The Rushford Star was started late in April, 1873, by T. H. Everts and Frank W. Drake. August 8, 1876, Charles R. McKen- ney purchased of Frank W. Drake, who had become sole owner. Mr. McKenney issued his first number August 11, 1876. It was captioned Volume IV, No. 14, and was a four-column quarto. At the end of the volume it was made a folio and has since changed size several times. Mckinney sold to G. E. Kirkpatrick in August, 1885. Mr. Kirkpatrick sold to H. G. Forschler in Octo- ber, 1901. Forschler sold to C. L. Foss in May, 1902. Mr. Foss, in the meantime, had issued several numbers of the Republican, starting March 1, 1902. When he purchased the Star he changed the name to the Star-Republican, still retaining the old Star number.
The Rushford Star-Republican. After purchasing the Star and combining it with his Republican, C. L. Foss continued the Star-Republican until April 18, 1912, when he sold out to T. R. Parish. Mr. Parish turned the office over to his son, J. E., who associated himself with C. A. Smaby, of the Peterson Herald. The new managers, J. E. Parish and C. A. Smaby, retained the old name and number, and issued their salutatory April 18, 1912, with Vol. 39, No. 49.
Labor Reform. This journal was started in April, 1872, and its life was prolonged by heroic sacrifices on the part of its editor and publisher, A. E. Ball, up to the month of July, 1873, when it was discontinued.
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