The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1928-06-07

to the solution of the problems at
tending the attempt to transform
into servicable social factors those
whom pernicious environments and
other causes had rendered socially
unfit. Services of the expert in
this type of human character were
imperatively demanded. AS con-
sequence, Mrs. Fannie French
Morse, of Massachusetts,, who had
made a similar institution in that
state we'll known wherever socio-
logical questions are studied, was
induced to come to Minnesota as
superintendent of the new school.
To her was entrusted it's concep-
ton, a conception which should
cover not only the organization of
it's policies, but a supervision of its
buildings, an attempt which in the
space of a comparatively few years
has wrought from a barren, timber
covered tract, a little community
the worth of which in the shaping
of the womanhood of Minnesota
can not be overestimated. In June,
1910, under her personal super
vision, the first work, the clearing
of the timber for sites, began. The
following month the first sod was
broken for building. A year later,
on June 22, 1911, these initial
buildings, four in number, were
ready for occupancy. To them was
transferred from the Red Wing
school, 81 girls. So began the
Home School for Girls. at Sank
Centre, an institution representing
today the most advanced thought
in dealing with a problem which
society hitherto had either neglect
ed or treated with that futility
which is born of misunderstanding.
Constructed on the modern
cottage plan," numbering as it
did after fewer than four years
$50 girls, it furnishes remarkable
instance of development and
growth. Built as it is on perma-
nent architectural values, and in its
methods based on the well-thought-
out principles of social justice
which are destined to endure, it
promises a future commensurate
with the great and progressive
state of Minnesota.
The first attempt to establish a
newspaper in Sank Centre was
made in 1866 by George McLaugh-
lin in the establishment of the Sank
Valley News. Its life, however,
was of short duration, measured
by months. The real editor made
his appearance, in the person of
Joseph H. Simonton. Picking up
the derelict paper, he started the
Sank Centre Herald, the first issue
appearing on June 6, 1867. In the
transfer from Mclaughlin to Mr..
Simonton there was one asset pas
sessed of historical significance.
1t was the press. This was the first
printing press brought into the
territory of Minnesota; it had
formerly been the property of
James M. Goodhue, of St. Paul,
who printed upon it, on April %,
1849, the first newspaper ever
published in Minnesota, the Mime
sofa Pioneer. Joseph Simonton
was joined by his brother Samuel
in July, 1867, and together they
conducted the Herald until it's dis
posal to Charles F. Hendryx in
1879. Joseph Simonton resided in
Sank Centre for many years there
after, one of the city's most highly
esteemed citizens. The Herald
continued under the management
of MIR. Hendryx until 1908, when
it was sold to Frank M.
Eddy, by whom it was transferred
in turn in 1907 to A. M. Wells.
From the possession of Mr.. Wells
it passed, in 1918, into the hands
of Asa M. Wallace, it's present
energetic, nationally known and
popular editor.
In 1880, Walter &C. and J. v.
Brewer brought into existence the
Stearns County Tribune, with
Walter &c. Brewer acting as editor.
The paper after a few years was
removed to St. Cloud. Upon the
heels of this newspaper venture, a
peregrinating printer by the name
of Max Nicolas established the
Sank Centre Avalanche. This
paper ran a varied course. Con-
trolled by Nicolas only a few years,
it passed into the possession of
E. P. !Barnum 10y whom it was ably
edited until his death. After the
death of his father, F. E. Barnum
managed the Avalanche until it's
disposal to J. M. Michaelson in
1901. The active administration
of Mr.. Michaelson raised the stand
ing of the paper in the community
to a remarkable degree, but failing
health compelling him to relinquish
his undertaking, it was merged with
the Herald and sold to Mr.. Eddy
in 1908.
Thus, although the history Of
Sank Centre has been written in a
few pages, and, measured by the
life of most communities it's exist
ence has been brief, yet the work
done has been marked by a certain
permanency which augurs for the
little city a more abundant future,
in which she shall contribute her
quota to the advancement of our
common humanity.
The above very interesting
resume of the history of Sank
Centre from the beginnings Of
things up to about 1916, was
written by Hon. Frank M. Eddy,