davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1928-06-07

Mr.. Bruce is a native son, having
been born in Sank Centre Nov. 10,
1865. Since early boyhood he has
been interested in farming. He
was a resident of Getty township
for IA years and for 27 years oper-
ated large farm in Ashley town.
ship. He sold this place and in
1914 established a farm with fine
new buildings just west of this
city.
For years Mr.. Bruce specialized
in the breeding of Short Horn cat
tie of the beef type and made a
success of it. He retired from
farming. a few years ago.
The gentleman held many po-
sitions Of public trust in the farm
ing communities where he resided,
and discharged them completely
End with integrity.
He became a stakeholder of the
Merchants National Bank of this
city January 5, 1910. He was
elected a director in 1911. Fifteen
years ago he became one of the
vice presidents of this institution.
June 5, 1897, Mr.. Bruce was
United in marriage to Mary j..
Koterba.
Mr.. Bruce is a man of sound
judgement, refusing to get excited
over new tangled business notions
or political foibles. He is the type
of man always dependable, a
genial personality and his word is
as good as any mans bond.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1928-06-07
General Reuiew
of Banking Situ-
,".
alton in ThisCity

With Country Banks closing
their doors from one cause or
another in almost every direction
from Sank Centre in the past few
years, Sank Centres one State and
two National Banks have stood the
gaff. ..
=. This indicates several things.
Primarily, perhaps, it clearly
demonstrates that the financial
institutions of this city have been
well and conservatively managed;
that they have had ample liquid
resources to meet all the demands
made upon them by tn ir
depositors.
o., 1t indicates that the farmers
and business men of Sank Centre
are in fairly prosperous situation,
in spite of the continual claims in
some quarters that the rural Sec
tions of Minnesota have gone
bankrupt.
1t indicates that the people of
this community have full conf
dence in the Sank Centre banks.
Time has proven this confidence
has been we'll placed.
In many communities large
blocks of Rural Banks are con-
trolled by individuals and interests
outside of the communities where
the banks were located.
Each of the three banks of this
city is controlled and managed by
Sank Centre capital to the last
dollar.
The officers of the local Banks
have resided in this community for
many years Most of them are
natives of this city.
The forebearerS of the present
presidents of the First and Mer-
chants National had long years of
honest and successful business
careers. DR.. J. A. Dubois, presi-
dent of the First State Bank, has
been a leading citizen of Sank
Centre for so long that the memory
of man runneth not to the
contrary. The active head of the
organization is the vice president,
BENZ. #. Dubois, who at heart is
a farmer.
Sank Centre and community is
made up of a people who are hard
working and naturally thrifty.
They enjoy all the necessities of
life and most of the luxuries. The
business men are not millionaires,
neither has there been a business
failure in the city for long, long
time.
A large percentage of the farm
ers tributary to this city own their
own homesteads. They do not
devote their lands to raising one
particular crop-they diversity
with the dairy cow the outstanding
revenue producer.
The Sank Centre banks, instead
of investing their depositors
money in other localities where
glowing opportunities were off ereo
for high interest rates, have con
fined their endeavors to caring fol-
the financial needs of the business
men and farmers of Sank Centre.
A story is told about a man who
went into an Iowa bank to secure
a loan. His finarclai standing was
not such as - warrant any bank
in giving him unlimited credit. 1t
appears, from the story, that the
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1928-06-07

Fay w. Sprague was born in the
city of Sank Centre, May 20, 1878.
He grew to manhood in this city,
and following his graduation from
High School with the Class of
1891, he entered the First National
Bank with his father, the late c. M.
Sprague, who was the organizing
head of the institution. He was
first employed as clerk; he was
promoted to assistant cashier in
1895. In 1902 he was made
cashier; vice president in 1920, and
following the death of his father
a few weeks ago, was made
president.
Mr.. Sprague is very quiet in his
tastes and devotes his entire life to
his family and business.
He was a prime mover in the
organization of the Sank Centre
Country Club, and is treasurer of
the organization. When the Com
mercial Club was organized, in
1912, Mr.. Sprague became the
first secretary.
He was united in marriage to
Miss Harriet Stryker. at Duluth,
Aug. IS, 1914. They have three
daughters, Susan Amelia, Faye and
Margaret Ann.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1928-06-07


The late C. M. Sprague, founder
of the First National Bank, was
born in Wills county, Illinois, Dec.
IL, 1848. He moved with his par
ents to Hastings, Mimi, in 1854.
In 1862 Mr.. Sprague served as a
citizen soldier in the defense of
Fort Ridgley. He also served with
General Sibley in his campaign
against the Indians along the
Missouri river. In February,
1865, he enlisted in Co. F., End.
MINI. Vol. Inf, was appointed
corporal and joined Sherman's
army at Goldsborough, N. C.
Mr.. Sprague was one of the best
known Odd Fellows in Minnesota.
He served as Grand Master of the
Grand Lodge, and for 81 years was
Grand Treasurer.
For many years he was active in
politics and was one of the best
known Republicans in Central
Minnesota. At the urge n t
solicitation of friends, he became
a candidate for the Lieutenant
Governorship in 1908.
MIR. Sprague served as member
of the State Board of Equalization
for a number of years, as chairman
much of the time. He retired
when the Minnesota Tax Commits
sion was established. ;,
The credit for the success of the
First National Bank belonged to
Mr.. Sprague.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1928-06-07

David B. Caughren was born in
the township of Getty, Stearns
county, Dec. II, 1885. He attend
ed the Sank Centre Public Schools.
When a young man he entered the
railroad contracting business with
his father, the late ]. "A. Caughren.
He handled several sub-contracts
successfully, spending 10 years in
Washington and other places on
the Pacific coast. He returned to
Sank Centre in 1912 and entered
the Merchants National Bank as
assistant cashier. In 1913 he was
elected vice president and uI on the
death of his father, IN 1922, be-
came president of the Mel chants
National.
Mr.. Caughren was the prime
mover in the organization and de-
velopment of the Sank Centre
Country Club, and is president of
the organization. He is an enthus-
iastic worker for better highways
for Sank Centre. AS a member
of the Highways committee of the
Community Club, Mr.. Caughren
took an active part in securing the
paving and other improvements of
the Babcock system in this
community.
David B. Caughren was married
to Miss Harriet Lockead, of Sank
Centre, Feb. 2, 1909. They have
two ch ldren, Patricia and
David B. Jr.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1928-06-07

The subject of this sketch was
born in st. Martin, Stearns county,
June IL, 1896. He came to Sank
Centre in 1912. In 1916 he grad
uated from the Sank Centre High
School. He also took a business
course at the Nicholas Business
School, St. Paul.
In 1916 Mr.. Sauer entered the
Westport State Bank as assistant
cashier. In 1917 he went to
Wibaux, Mont, to take the position
of assistant cashier of the First
State Bank of that village.
Henry served his country during
the World War. He is active in
the affairs of the American Legion
and at present is Adjutant of
Robert Swift Post, Of this city.
He returned to Sank Centre in
September, 1921, and became
connected with the First National
Bank as assistant cashier. In jan
uary, 1922, he became cashier and
a director of the First National, the
position he now holds. Mr.. SaueT
is unmarried.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1928-06-07

Mr.. Dubois was born in Sank
Centre, May %, 1885. He gradu-
ated from the Sank Centre Public
Schools. When a young man ne
made a little journey to Alaska
where he spent some time seeing
life in the raw and working hard.
After his return from the North
he was employed in the Minnetanka
State Bank at Excelsior for a year.
After his return to Sank Centre
he entered the Merchants National
Bank as assistant cashier.
When the First State Bank was
re-organized in 1912 Ben was
made first vice president. He is
generally recognized as the active
head of the institution. He has
been treasurer of the City of Sank
Centre for several years, being re-
elected when his term expires with
out opposition.
MIR. Dubois served as chief of the
Volunteer fire department for
three years, and as secretary of
the Stearns County Fair for
several years-until he absolutely
refused to act longer.
The First State Bank, of which
he is vice president, is the oldest
bank northwest of the Twin Cities,
except one at Fargo and one at
Fergus Falls.
June 1, 1918, Mr.. Dubois was
married to Miss Cecile Gallagher,
of St. Cloud. They have five
children, three boys and two girls.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1928-06-07
Soft Drink and Billiard Parlor

soloon for three years. He then
went to Wahpeton, N. D., where
he spent three years in the liquor
business. He came to Sank Centre
in 1890 and was employed by Fred
Bunnel in the old Sank Centre
House. In 1894, in connection
with F. J. Murphy, he operated the
saloon in the building now occupied
by the Gopher Prairie Inn. John
sold out to his partner in 1898,
and for a time he conducted the
Grand Central bar at st. Cloud.
He sold out the St. Cloud business
in 1899 and returned to Sank
Centre. In July of that year, with
Fred Deters as a partner, he
opened a saloon which they con-
Quoted until 1902, when Mr.. Deters
retired. John remained in the
business until 1918.
In December, 1919, he opened
a billiard hall in the Palmer House
annex, moving to his present loca-
ton, Third and Oak streets, April
1, 1920.
Mr.. Boutell has always operated
a high type of place.
He was a member of the City
Council from 1906 to 1910.
May 1, 1889, at Morris, Mimi,
he was united in marriage to Miss
Mary. Mccarthy. There is one son,
Attorney Francis 'JBoutell, of
Chicago. one Of the county
commissioners of Cook county.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1928-06-07

how it was possible for the other
man to pick out the glass eye. The
borrower replied: 81 thought l saw
a slight CLEAN of sympathy in that
eye."
That condition may be true of
m any bankers, but not of those in
Sank Centre. They know their
community and it's people. They
are always willing to give every
person an opportunity to improve
his condition. They are not
Shylocks. They do not demand
their "pound of flesh"
However, in the so-called lean
years and financial rcverses which
many communities have gone
through. do not get the notion that
the bankers of Sank Centre have
not had their worries to keep the
financial ships on an even keel.
The Sank Centre banks have, at
various times, absorbed securities
offered for sale by the municipal
ity of Sank Centre, showing their
unbounded faith in their home
city.
The officers of the banks take a
healthy interest in all civic matters
that will improve living conditions
and will make Sank Centre better
city in which to live
When one considers Minnesota
as a whole, it is not surprising that
with good management the banks
in we'll developed rural commune
tie like the territory adjacent to
Sank Centre should continue to
function. The edition of Financial
Statistics of States, published by
the Federal Census Bureau, 1920,
shows that Minnesota is the richest
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1928-06-07

Mr.. Strebel was born at Gaylord,
Sibley county, Aug. IS, 1882. He
graduated from the public schools
of his native town, and later from
Carleton College, Mortified.
Mr.. Strebel came to Sank
Centre in 1905, to take a position
as clerk in the Merchants National
Bank. He was elevated to the po-
sition of cashier in 1908. At the
present he is vice president and
cashier. Much of the success of
the Merchants National Bank is
due to the untiring efforts of MIR.
Strebel in caring for the interests
of it's patrons.
Mr.. Strebel backs up every
Civic movement to the limit. He
served as secretary of the Stearns
County Fair for several years, and
has also served as secretary of the
Commercial Club.
Miss Alice Dean, a Sank Centre
young woman, became the wife of
Albert F. Strebel, July 10, 1911.
They have two daughters, Mary
and Jane.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1928-06-07

Mr.. Dubois has been interested
in the banking business in Sank
Centre for many years. He was
one of the stockholders of the
Merchants National Bank when it
was organized. When the First
State Bank was re-organlzed IN
1912, he became a stakeholder. At
this time he was president of the
Merchants and the late James A.
Caughren was president of the
First State Bank. Mr.. Caughren's
son Dave was connected with the
Merchants and Ben F. Dubois was
vice president of the First State.
The natural thing was for an
exchange of stock to take lace
and DR.. Dubois became president
of the First State Bank.
The Doctor is greatly interested
in the problem of the farmer. He
came from a section of Wisconsin
where dairying is paramount and
he has done much to encourage
the farmers adjacent to Sank
Centre to raise cattle. He is a
large land owner and operates
several farms successfully in spite
of the adverse conditions of the
past few years.
His connection with the First
State Bank is largely in an
advisory capacity, the active man.
agement being left very largely
to the vice president and cashier.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1928-06-07

Fay S. Cooper is the son of Mr..
and Mrs. J. F. Cooper. He is dis
tinctly Sank Centre product. He
was born in this city, March IT,
1895. His younger life was much
like that of the average boy. He
graduated from the Sank Centre
Public Schools in 1914, taking a
postgraduate course in the Com
mercial Department the following
year. .
Mr.. Cooper became connected
with the First State Bank, March
Is, 1915, as assistant cashier.
When L. L. Kells resigned in Janu-
airy, 1921, Fay was elected cashier,
position he has since filled to the
entire satisfaction of the patrons
of the Bank and of the directors.
For years Fay has been active in
musical activities, both vocal
and instrumental, as a member OF
several quartettes and of the Sank
Centre Band and the Sank Centre
Symphony Orchestra. He has been
very capable end man and vaude-
vile artist of the Sank Centre
! Community Club minstrel shows
during the past few years. This
year he elaborated with Asa IN.
Wallace of the Herald in producing
the Clubs minstrel show, taking
charge of the musical end of the
current offering. He is also an
active member of the Community
Club in many other ways. e."
Fay married Sank Centre girl,
Miss Grace Noel; they have one
son, Lawrence.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1928-06-07
Ub-to-date Undertaking Parlor

In 1915 he entered the University
of Minnesota and took up the en-
balming course. After graduation
he entered the undertaking bust
ness at Brainerd in 1917.
George joined the colors of his
country in 1918 and was located
at Camp Grant, Illinois, at the time
when the flu eidemic was carrying
off the boys in large numbers. His
professional training was brought
into active play to prepare his bud
dies for shipment.
When he was mustered out of
service in May, 1919, he came to
Sank Centre, and entered the en-
ployment of L. w. Gingery, fur.
niture and undertaking, Mr.. Berg
green having charge of the under
taking. In February, 1922, he pur-
chased the interest of Mr.. Gingery.
He retired from the furniture bus
mess in the spring of 1927, and
now devotes his entire time to the
undertaking business, operating
the Sank Centre Funeral Service
with w F. Unger.
June 10, 1917, at Cloquet
Mimi, Mr.. Berggreen was united
in marriage to Miss Anna l.. Mick.
elson. There are two sons, Ray.
mond and Richard.
Mr.. Berggreen served as presi
dent of Minnesota Funeral Direct
ors Association in 1927. He is still
a director of the organization
He is the president of the Saul
Centre Community and a good one
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1928-06-07

banker was rather hard-hearte:l.
In the course Of the conversation
Mr.. Banker said: 81 have one good
eye and one glass eye. If you can
tell me which is the glass eye I
will grant you the loan" Unhesi-
tatingly the borrower pointed to
the glass eye. The banker was
somewhat surprised and inquired
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1928-06-07
The Merchants National Bank
SECTION FOUR


w. Austin.
cashier
B. snebe
M
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1928-06-07

Mr.. Berggreen was born at ME-
nominee, Wis, Jan Fl, 1892. His
parents moved from Wisconsin to
Leader, Mimi, in 1898. Two years
later they moved to Hackensack
where they still reside.
George attended the grade
schools at Hackensack, but took
his high school course at Brainerd.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1928-06-07
First State Bank of Sank Centre

of
Kels
in
J L.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1928-06-07
First National Bank of Sank Centre

first of
A
c. a ago tn sp of
n
W.
HHIeud,H akersn,F W. spagueH J. Suer -
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1928-06-07

Mr.. Boutell was born at
Westcock, Cam, Dec. 1, 1862. His
parents moved to Detroit, Mich,
when he was a year old. John:
Boutell grew to manhood in
Detroit, where he received his
education.
John left Detroit in 1884 for
Minneapolis, where he conducted a
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1928-06-07

Gal" Salmond is one of the
landmarks of Sank Centre. He
was born in this city Oct. 6. 1868.
Except for short winter vacations
spent in California, "Al" has been
Sank Centre fixture
Mr. Salmond was a pioneer in
the automobile business in this
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1928-06-07
A LEAP YEAR HINT

Mr.. Beach (moralizing)-After
all, man is weak.
Miss Willing (coyly)-In union
there is strength.-Boston Tran
script.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1928-06-07

Herald Want Ads Bring Results
New Britain herald., 1928-04-17

Robert S. Peterson of the U. S. S. Utah has returned from the West Indies and is spending a IS day fur lough at his home at 200 Stratford road.
 A son was born at New Britain General hospital today to Mir. and Mrs. Bennett Hubbard of 16 Forest street.
 There will be a meeting of the Baliait Review at PIT Main street this evening.
 On complaint Of Alexander Brzo- zoWy Of 99 Grove street that win- doWs Ill his barn were broken. Off, cer David Doty rouro ed up two boys and they admitted having thrown the stones Their parents agreed to pay for the damage.
 A s100 suit was brought today bv Henry Schaub. of Waterbury, against Louis 1uork. The writ, issued by At torney J. M. Sweeney, of Waterbury. states that the defendant owes for rent and board. The case comes up III the city court of Waterbury the first Monday in May. Constable John S- Recor served the papers.
New Britain herald., 1928-04-17
HAROLD LLOYD AT CAPITOL

The average motion picture com edy that has one high mark laugh sequence. is deemed to have been d success. But Harold Lloyd has set such high standard of comedy, and the public has come to expect so much from him, that he has to triple the accepted number of sequences,
 In Speedy" with which Lloyd is now adding to the mirth of the world and which is now at the Capitol, he has three comedy sequences that touch as high spots as anything he has ever done in pictures. The great hespoctacled comedian has gone in for q little broader brand of comedy in "Speedy' than he has attempted for some time, but at no point in his story does he sacrifice sincerity for laughs.
 Beginning Sunday night for a run of four days the Capitol will offer Ramon Novarro. prince of romance. in his latest photoplay. Across to Singapore a stirring tale of adven- turc on the seven seas and with Joan Crawford and Ernest Terrence in support.
New Britain herald., 1928-04-17
PATRIOTIC SOCIETY FILES
 INCORPORATION ARTICLES
Miss Mary Whittlescy Associated With Connecticut Chapter N. $.
 ID. Of r. & F. of A., Inc,

Miss Mary Swift Whittlesey of this city is one of the incorporators of The Connecticut Chapter of the National Society Daughters of Founders and Patriots Qf America, Inc.
 The articles of incorporation, a copy of which has been filed for record at the office of the town clerk set forth the purposes as being:
 10 associate conSenial women whose ancestors struggled together for life, liberty, home and happiness Tn thlS land when it was a new and unknown country, and whose lines or descent come through patriots who sustained the colonies in the struggle for independence in the Revolutionary war.
 TO teach reverent regard for the names and history, character deeds and Aeroism of the founders of this country and their patriotic descend ants and 10 lnculcate patriotism in the present and succeeding genera tions
 To discover and preserve family records and history otherwise un- written and unknown, Of the first colonists, their ancestors and de- scendants.
 To commemorate events of the history of the colonies and of the republic and in time of war to obtain and forward supplies for army and navy hospitals"
New Britain herald., 1928-04-17
PLA|NV!LLE NEVIS
(Continued from Page Seven)

scheduled for the evening will be unable to bc present. Upon q mo- ment's notice, however. the commit tee in charge has gathered together q group of speakers on a wide va riety of topics. In accordance with the idea. of celebrating music week the Elcc clubs will sing and Miss Louise Cottle. supervisor of music, will give q, short talk on what is be- ing done in tho way of music cdu- cation in Planville. Tho principals Of the three schools will talk on subjects connected with their insti- tutions.
 Orrin l.. Judd. principal of Broad d street school. will speak on Tine Summer Playground" Harry c. Brown, principal Of the Linden street school. will talk on Art in the Linden Street School" Vice. Principal Douglas Macdonald of the High school will speak on Manners and Attitudes of High School Stu dents." The topic on which Super intendent Leon c. Staples will speak IS Ways in Which the Individual Can Help the School at Small Cost" Reports will be given on the annual congress of Connecticut parents and