davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-12-22

Washington, December 19-Accord-
ing to the final crop report issued
by the department of agriculture,
the number of acres sown to corn
in 1911 was 105,825,000 with a total
production of 1881 ,4S8,O0O bushels,
having an estimated farm value of
$1,565, 258,000. The 1910 corn crop
was 2,886,260,0O0 bushels, farm value,
1881, $1,000.
In 1911, 29,162,000 acres were sown
in winter wheat, producing 430,656,-
600 bushels, with farm value of
1919, ISL 900. The 1910 winter wheat
crop was 434, $4,000 bushels; farm
value, $382,381 900.
Spring wheat was sOwn on 20.3S1,-
900 acres in 1911, producing crop
of 190,6S2,O00 bushels, valued on the
farm at $163,912,00O. The total
spring wheat crop was 200,979,000
bushels farm value $178,733,0OO.
The total spring and winter wheat
crop of 1911, produced on 49,543,O00
acres was 621,338,09O bushels, valu-
ed at farm at $163,912,000. The 1910
spring and winter wheat crop was
635, 121 900, value 1851, 051 600
The 1911 oat crop, produced on 81.
100000 acres, was 922,29S,O0O bush
els, valued on the farm at S414,663,-
coo. Production in 1910, 1,180,513,-
900 bushels, value on farm $4O6, 4O6,-
900. Forty-three million seventeen
thousand acres were sown in 1911 to
hay, producing 47,444,OOO tons, with
farm value of $694,570,000. The
1910 hay crop was 60,97S,000 tons,
valued at $747,769,000.
The 1911 tobacco crop grown on
1,O12,SOO acres, was O5,1O9,OOO
pounds, valued at the farms at $685.
21COGO. The 1910 crop was 1,1O3,-
415,000 pounds, valued at $102.142,-
| 900.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-12-22

caught the train for the west at
1920.
Pick and Bar.
The "yeggs" secured pick and
long iron bar from the tool shed
in the railroad yards. These as
sisted them in their gaining entrance
to the postoffice. These were found
on the floor by Postmaster Eastwood
Saturday morning. No other articles
We're left behind by the "yeggs."
Postoffice Inspector POstle of
Mankato is at Sioux Falls where
he, too, is aiding in running down
the men who are supposed to have
had a hand in the safe-cracking.
1t is the belief of the officials that
gang of safe-crackers makes it's
headquarters in Sioux Falls.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-12-22
From Mondays Daily.

From Mondays Daily.
F, E. Crandall, president of the
Commercial club, has notified r. e.
Brown, manager of the Consumers
Power company, that he has appoint
ed Benjamin Taylor, George w. Sug-
den and Charles R. Butler as the
committee to decide who shall be
entitled to the three prizes to be
given by the Consumers company
for the three best and most appro-
pirate slogans for the city of Man
katO. The prizes offered are: First,
standard gas stove; second, coffee
percolator; third, electric toaster or
flatiron.
Mr.. Brown wrote a communica-
ton to Mr.. Crandall in (which he
said: Our intention, after the judges
decide on the slogan, is to have the
manufacturers of large electric signs
take the matter up and our COM
pany will see what it will cost for a
large suitable electric sign with this
slogan outlined on same. We would
then like to make proposition to
the Commercial club or the mayor
or commissioners, to install this sign
in some appropriate and conspicuous
place, like the roof of the Saulpaugh
hotel or the top of Fred Kron's de-
partment store, and have it lighted
and burning each and every night,
all night, where all passengers on
trains coming into or going through
our city could not help but see the
same. Our intention would be to
make a very liberal proposition, our
company standing, probably one-half
of the initial cost and make a spe-
cial rate on the lighting and mainte-
nance of this sign and stand, prob
ably one-half of that cost, leaving
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-12-22
From Tuesdays Daily.

From Tuesdays Daily
On December 80 the local branch
of the National Association of Sta
tionary Engineers will form an or
ganization in Mankato. This was
the result reached at the meeting
Sunday evening at the Stahl house.
r. F. S. Hayes, state president, and
James McGary, state secretary, were
present to help in the preliminary
meeting. Each gave an address,
showing the benefits to be gained by
being a member of the association.
The object of the association was
to educate the stationary engineers
in the handling and operating OF
their machines. Another meeting
will be held at the Sons Of Herman
hall on December 80 at which time
a charter will be applied for and the
engineers will then organize. At the
meeting held Sunday evening the
following officers We're elected:
President, Charles Lentz, chief en-
gineer at the city pumping station;
vice president, G. F. Scheiber, chief
cial secretary, John Williams, second
assistant engineer Hubbard mill; re-
cording secretary, Fred Howe, assist
ant engineer, high school; CORE
spending secretary, l.. A. Radcliffe,
engineer at Pleasant Grove school;
conductor, w. S. Randolph, chief en-
gineer at the Mankato malt house;
doorkeeper, John Studt, helper at
Hubbard mill; trustees, Charles Vo-
gel, chief engineer at high school;
Bert Reich, first assistant engineer
at Hubbard mill; George Hoffman,
chief engineer at Creamery Package
company's plant.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-12-22
(From Mondays DaiIy.)

Securely tied to their managers,
four horses met their death this
morning when fire destroyed the
barn belonging to A. J. Rush, in the
rear of C. f. Gunstrom's meat mar
ket at sol South Front street. The
doors of the barn were locked and
the horses fettered to their stalls,
and the animals were prisoners in
the fire. The barn was nearly a to-
tai loss, with large amount of hay
consumed.
Fire Origin Unknown.
How the fire started could not be
learned, but it is thought that spon-
taneous combustion was the cause.
1t was first discovered about 1:30
this morning when J. A. Hartman,
who lives at 112 State street, and
only a few rods from the barn,
heard the horses kicking inside. Up
on looking out he saw bright light
inside, but thought that someone was
there with a lantern. However, he
soon discovered smoke and a still
alarm was sent to the fire station.
A few moments later J. Nicholson
saw smoke and flames pouring out
of one of the windows. He ran to
box A at the corner of South Front
and Byron streets and turned in the
alarm. There was something defect
i've with the batteries and the bell
rang but once. He thereupon re-
turned to the house and telephoned
to the fire department but was in
formed that the call had already
been sent in and the men were on
their way.
impossible to Save Horses.
Mr.. Nicholson then ran out to the
barn and tried to batter in the door,
as it was locked, but he found
that it was impossible to save the
horses as the flames shot outward
and had already cremated them. The
fire department arrived in a few min
utes and quickly had the fire under
control. About 500 pounds of hard
coal which was in the barn, was not
burned
horses, was in st. Paul at the time,
having gone with big shipment of
livestock, and he said before he left
that he would not return to Mankato
until tonight or tomorrow. 1t could
not be learned whether or not ne
carried any insurance, but Mrs. Ro-
schelle said that she thought he had
none, as he had just purchased two
of the horses. He does a great
deal of live stock buying and desired
to have four horses for driving in
to the country and so bought a fine
span of horses the other day. He
priced the new team very highly.
A. J. Rush, who owned the barn,
said that it is total loss, amount
ing to about $3.50, all covered by in
surance. He said that he may re-
build when the debris is moved
away.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-12-22

From Saturdays Daily
Completely outclassed at every
stage of the game, the st. Peter
high school basketball team went
down to defeat last night at the
hands of the local high school boys
with score of 40 to 10. Although
the Mankato five were outweighed,
they surpassed their opponents in
speed. They showed better team
work, which had great deal to do
with the result.
The game was a clean and fast
one throughout, and there was no
criticism to make of the officials
The gymnasium was opened under
excellent circumstances big vic
tory for the home team at the first
game in the splendidly equipped and
built gymnasium. A number OF
comments were made in favor oil
the new gymnasium, and the ST
Peter boys were well pleased tt
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-12-22

The good roads meeting held in
the Sperlich school house, Rapidan,
Saturday night vas well attended.
1t was presided over by w. A. Just.
The object of the meeting was to
cooperate in an endeavor to gravel
such grades as are now in proper
shape for gravel between Rapidan
station and Good Thunder, these
places being designated as follows:
One at school house No. &C, run
ming north; one at store, running
north; one at the Miescke and Eb-
erhart corner, running south; and
one beginning at the Lyra line and
running south.
Donations for hauling gravel on
these places were solicited and were
w. A. Just, SO yards; W. Eberhart,
100 yards; c. H. Matzke, 100 yards;
Charles Sperlich, so yards; Jess
Skow, so yards; Ernest Matzke, rs
yards; John Taylor, 25 yards; T..
Geisthart, so yards; W. Geisthart, %
yards; Robert Schneider, 10 yards;
Henry Kuehn, so yards; Dan Bosin,
Frank Nelson, so yards; Carl Bindig,
Is yards; w. Sperlich, so yards; w.
Bartsch, Is yards; Arthur Just, %
yards.
The above represents the hauling
of nearly 1000 yards of gravel,
which will put over a mile of road
in good condition.
Committees appointed to solicit
from those not present at the meet
ing: G. Sperlich for south end; G..
Matzke to school house; w. Eber-
hart from school to station; w. Just
north from station. The three last
named were also designated as a
committee to. locate gravel, attend
to minor details and call other
meetings when deemed necessary.
The business men present from
Good Thunder declared their inten-
ton of calling meeting at Good
Thunder to ascertain what could be
done from that end
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-12-22
from Thursdays Daily.

From Thursdays Daily.
Herman Krummel VS.. George M
Palmer, an action involving $4,000,
was called for trial in the district
court today. The following is the
jury: Ira Romack, Ben Deike, H. D.
Diamond, James Foley, Thomas
Jones, John A. Golf, A. M. Smith,
Frank Kruse, Fred Cords, w. M
Carey, w. d. Wilmot and Samuel
Burgess.
The plaintiffs complaint alleges
malicious prosecution. The suit
grows out of the arrest of Mr.. Krum-
mel on a charge of stealing wheat.
He was aquitted at hearing in the
police court.
f. w. Bates, clerk of the. munich
pal court, was the first witness who
appeared for the plaintiff, and he
read the proceedings of that court
at the trial of Mr.. Krummel at the
time he was tried in March on a
charge of grand larceny in the sec.
ond degree.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-12-22

@rom Tuesdays Daily.
The case Of John J. Nelson VS..
William F. Fischer was dismissed in
district court this morning.
The case of Richard j.. Hughes,
administrator of the estate of Robert
r. Evans, deceased, VS.. Joseph R.
Williams, administrator of the estate
of Margaret Williams, deceased, was
continued. Hughes & Ellsworth ap-
peared for the plaintiff and Thomas
Hughes acted as attorney for the
defendant.
1t was reported that the case of
William Granger VS.. the Northern
Land &c Realty company and e. NJ.
Zuel had been settled out of court.
C. c. Kolars, A. r. Pfau, Jr., and
C. J. Laurisch were attorneys for the
plaintiff and s.. B. Wilson was at.
torney for the defendant.
The case of Vernon Center State
bank VS.. C. NJ. Dimmick was con.
tinued by consent Of all the attOr-
neys, S. B. Wilson for the plaintiff
and A. r. Pau, Jr., and c. j. Laur-
isch for the defendants.
Bertha Howe VS.. William G. Jones
was the case begun this morning and
on which the court is still at trial
C. o. Daley is attorney for the
plaintiff and Thomas Hughes appears
for the defendant
The next case which was to be
tried was that of p. H. Finnegan
VS.. Lottie Edwards and Henry Ed
wards, but the attorney for the de.
PENDANT consented to have the case
continued.
The case which will be tried next
is that of Martin Looming VS.. Ed.
mund Jones. G. S. Strom is to ap.
pear for the plaintiff and Hughes
& Ellsworth will take the side of
the defendant. This is an action
brought by the plaintiff in which he
is suing for commission for get
ting purchaser to the farm of the
defendant.
The district court will hold va
cation from Christmas until next
year, so that in the week between
the holidays there will be no court
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-12-22

County Auditor Weaver forwarded
today to State Auditor S. G. Iverson
his abstract of the tax lists of Blue
Earth county for the year 1911.
This abstract shows the number of
acres of land assessed in the coun-
ty to be 40 ,463 68, valued at ST.
1923, 169 which is the average valua-
ton, including buildings of SIS Sc
per acre. The town and city lots
and structures thereon are valued at
$3.443,423 and personal property
after the EXCEPTIONS are deducted
amounts to $2,OSO.959, with a total
valuation of $12,847,551.
Total Taxes Levied.
The total taxes levied thereon is
$382,991.85. The average rate for
the county is 1881 mills. The funds
are divided as follows:
State revenue fund 80. $34, 045. 80
State school and university
tax. ...... .......... 1892 so
Interest and principal on
state loans ............ 1919 Is
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-12-22
From Saturdays Dairy

From Saturdays Dairy
Professor Charles Cleveland Nut
ting of the University of Iowa last
evening delivered his lecture on
"The Hawaiian Cruise of the United
States Ship Albatross" before an in
teersted audience at the normal
school. AS Introduction he set forth
the objects of the cruise and de-
scribed briefly the equipment of the
vessel and something of the daily
life on board.
The AlbatrOss is perhaps the only
vessel in the world built and used
exclusively for scientific purposes.
1t was launched some thirty years
ago and subsequently has sailed the
waters of most of the accessible
seas, making in that time over six
thousand soundings.
Lantern Brought Into Use.
Following these more general
statements the lantern was brought
into use and for an hour the audi
ence was carried from place to place
in the Hawaiian seas and upon the
/ islands, covering in all a territory
more than half the size of the Unit
ed States. He stated that the ma
tive Hawaiians, very good natured
and lazy people, made up by the
blending of a half-dozen nationali-
ties, were being driven out by the
/ immigration from the eastern and
western hemispheres. The leading
industry on the islands is the rails
ing of sugar.
MoIokar. interesting Island.
One of the most interesting islands
visited was Molokai, a barren and
forbidding mass of volcanic rock
projecting wall-like from the waves
On a sand pit or fan at one side
of the island is the leper settlement
OF Molokai, comprising a population
of a little over a thousand people,
nine hundred of whom are lepers,
the remainder being relatives or
friends of the diseased who have
chosen exile in order to care for
their loved ones. Several physicians
and priests have gone voluntarily
to live with these unfortunates. The
disease is usually in it's anaesthetic
form and the patient suffers very
little. A physician desiring a sample
of the flesh of leper purchased
| it for nickel, cutting off the piece
"iIhouI uui Ii'S tHe pdlIeuI. He us
ease is not inherited and is contract
ed only with difficulty.
Most Attractive Pictures.
The most attractive pictures were
those of Bird and Laysan islands,
where millions of albatrosses, man-o'-
war birds, love birds, shearwaters, etc.,
! filled the air, covered the ground so
! thickly that one could scarcely avoid
stepping upon them and even bur-
rowed underground until the whole
surface was undermined.
In general the lecture proved to
F.! be one of the most interesting given
in MankatO for some time.
While in Mankato Professor Nut
ting was entertained at the home of
Mr.. and Mrs. A. D. Whedon.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-12-22

From Fridav's Daily.
Martin Klein, pioneer resident OF
st. Peter and man who was wide
ly known throughout Nicollet and LIE
Sueur counties, died very suddenly
at Cleveland yesterday, says The st.
Peter Herald. He passed away in
his room at the hotel in that village,
his lifeless body being found shortly
after noon.
Mr.. Klein had been in feeble
health for some months, and several
weeks ago went to a hospital at
MaDkato to receive treatment for
nephritis. After leaving the hospi-
tai he seemed much improved, but
early in the present week he suffer
ed another attack. Wednesday night
he was about the hotel and yester-
day morning he arose at six o'clock
About ten o'clock he went to his
room to lie down, and was not seen
again alive. When he did not ap.
pear for the midday meal his room
was entered, and it was discovered
that he had passed away. Death is
attributed to heart failure.
Martin Klein was born in Marien.
achdorf, Prussia, Germany, February
II, 1910, and was seventy-two years
of age. When a youth of sixteen he
came to this country with his par.
ents, they settling at Little Falls,
Herkemer county, New York. A year
later they came to st. Peter, and
thus the deceased was a territorial
pioneer of Minnesota. Mr.. Klein
learned the trade of a harnessmaker
and for years conducted shop in
this city. In 1903 he moved to Madi.
son Lake, and few years later
to Cleveland, where he resided up to
the time of his DEATH
His wife passed away last August,
and he is survived by brother and
three sisters. The latter are: Mrs.
Jacob Stelzer, st. Peter; John Klein,
Mankato; Mrs. Margaret Stelzer,
Great Falls, Mont, and Mrs. Henry
Ludcke, Sr., st. Peter.
The remains of the old pioneer
were brought to st. Peter last even.
ing, and the funeral will be held
from the German Catholic church at
ten o'clock tomorrow morning. Rev.
Father Moran will conduct the ser,
ices and the interment will be
made in Calvary cemetery
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-12-22
Danger turks in the manufactured

Danger turks in the manufactured
ST. Nick
Cotton batting as a species of hir-
suite adornment or disguise for the
amateur Santa Claus is taboOed by
those seeking to reduce as much
as possible the usual fire loss Of
the holiday season. So also are
Christmas tree candles, for which it
is said electric lights should be sub
stituted to adorn the Christmas tree.
Especial warning is issued to the
stores of this city, where it is said
the usual hasty and makeshift Christ
mas decorations increase the fire haz-
ard considerably. Particular atten-
ton is directed to the installation of
trees so they cannot be overturned,
and the use of electric lights instead
of candles, with the admonitiOn that
care be taken in stringing the tenn
porary wires for the lights suggest
ed.
Merchant Must Be Careful.
every merchant should be spe-
cially careful about fire hazards at
this time, not only because OF the
danger of interfering with his trade
at the most profitable season of the
year, but because of his responsibility
to the public through endangering
the lives of the holiday throng," was
the comment made by one Interested
party yesterday. The insurance
men are glad to pass upon all holiday
electric lighting plans in. order to
diminish the losses from fire, and
merchants generally should confer
with their insurance men and should
be certain that the electric wiring is
done by competent men.
''The holiday season is a good
time for merchants to begin to en-
force no smoking rules, and to be
specially careful about the prompt
removal of boxes, paper and all in
fiammable rubbish. -
Ban On Cotton Santa.
'Under no circumstances should
cotton batting be used by amateur
Santa Clauses for hair and whisk-
ers,' was the comment of another,
referring to the customs of private
parties, home entertainment and
Sunday school celebrations, las non
indammable substitutes can easily be
had, and the risk OF serious or fatal
burning is excessive. '3*s
''If candles are used, children
should not be allowed to light them
as they often set fire to their cloth
ing. Wherever possible, electric
lights should be used instead of can
dies on Christmas itrees and the wir-
ing should be carefully DONE
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-12-22

For Money and Credits.
An additional levy for money and
credits is based on valuation OF ST.
267,615 and at three mills yields n
tax of .$3,S03 .03, one-sixth of which
goes to the state revenue fund, an
other one-sixth to the county reve-
nue. and one-third to the city, village
or township where the property is
assessed and the last one-third to
special fund of school district. where
located
The total tax on grain and eleva-
tors amounts to $2S1.72, pro rated
to the various funds the same as
real estate taxes. The grand total
of all taxes levied in the county
will be $3S7,O76. 60.
Rates of Taxation.
The following figures shows the
average rate of taxation in the diff
ferent township and cities which is
given in mills as a unit:
st. Clair, 3676 mills Eagle
Lake, 2S.4S; Mapleton village,
80. SS; Madison Lake, SO. As; Amboy,
so. 80; Good Thunder, %. Sc; Ver-
non Center, 43 10; City of Mankato,
"A. 81! Lake Crystal, $50 40.
The total taxes levied last year
wer $343.940. 81. The levy for the
care of poor this year is $4,000 less
than last year. The total taxes
levied in the City of Mankato for
1910 were $149,446 90 and in 1911,
S171,155. 70. The total taxes levied
in Blue Earth county for state reve-
nue. fund in 1910 were $1S.756 20
and in 1911 amounted to $34,7O2 81.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-12-22

How much deos it cost to run a
city like Mankato for one month? The
question would elicit some interesting
answers. But in a city of this size,
one month will not show conclusively
the exact amount for which .ne diff
ferent departments of the local
government can be operated. put the
following tabulated items will show
approximately the cost. These figures
are taken for the month of November
These figures, of course, include
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-12-22
Chances in a Leap Year.

st. Paul Dispatch Gladstone Dowie
the unkissed son of the late Elijah"
Dowie, is about to take course in
theology and qualify as regular
minister. Maybe he thinks that would
improve his chance, especially in
leap year.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-12-22

the rest for the city to take care
of. We think this would bring good
returns and be big advertising for
Mankato."
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-12-22
Owatonna, Mimi, December A.

Owatonna, Mimi, December a.
Congressman Sydney Anderson's
troubles in Owatonna have begun,
and the young representative, it ap-
pears, will find himself beset by diff
ficulties as formidable as those it
is said he will face in Winona,
when he returns to repair his politi-
cal fences in this section of the
district.
1t all arises, of course, over the
postmastership and the resulting
tangle. Although the postmastership
will not be vacant for some time,
the undercurrent has already set in,
and friends of the candidates ale
now at work.
The place is now held by James
M. Diment, who for Years was Taw-
ney's political manager, and one
time candidate for governor. Diment
will probably not seek reappoint-
ment, but should he care to do so,
there are plenty to hint. that he
could keep the plum through the in