The following appeared in the Rock County Herald on November 12, 1926:
 
MANY FARM OWNERS ARE OPPOSED TO RE-ROUTING NO. 9
 
Divided Fields With Resultant Inconveniences Are Most General Grounds for Complaint.
 
The re-routing of trunk highway No. 9, so that it will run along the north side of the Omaha right-of-way from the west edge of this city, to the South Dakota state line, instead of over the present route, does not meet with the hearty approval of most owners of the farms through which it will cut. There has been considerable talk of circulating petitions protesting against the change, but there is little likelihood of such petitions making any material difference.
This is due to the fact that the state highway department has long had the changed route under consideration and has viewed it from every angle. Officials are convinced that the advantages of the new route so far outweigh any permanent disadvantages that the latter cannot be considered.
As outlined in the last issue of the Herald, the new route will cut diagonally across outlot No. 10, known as the Forrest property, starting from Davidson street at the end of the Main street paving, and will continue in a southwest direction through the J. F. Snook residence property occupied by L. E. Leech, to the southeast corner of J. D. Piepgras’ farm on this side of the Omaha right of way. There it will follow the railway through Beaver Creek and on to Manley and the South Dakota line, keeping parallel with the railway along the entire way.
This means the abandonment of the present trunk highway between this city and the South Dakota state line, which may seem an extravagant move. But the highway department figures that the new route can be constructed for twenty-five per cent less than the present route could be rebuilt, and reconstruction would be necessary within a short period. The most important consideration, according to the view point of the state highway department, is the elimination of railway crossings and the reduction of mileage.
According to the highway department, the new route will reduce the mileage fully three miles as well as eliminate four railway crossings, which in themselves are considered a great menace to the travelling public. What makes the reduction of mileage important is the fact that present expectations are that this highway eventually will be paved. For every mile that the route is reduced, a saving of approximately $30,000 in paving costs will be possible. It is held that this saving will in itself practically take care of the expense of constructing the new route.
Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

The following appeared in the Rock County Herald on October 15, 1926:
 
Minnesota’s highway department the first of this week completed the task of oiling and resurfacing with gravel the two-mile stretch of trunk highway No. 6, between the Kniss avenue paving and state road No. 8 north of this city. Oil was heated and put on under pressure by an especially designed machine, and the oil was covered with a thin coating of gravel. While this work was under way the road was closed to travel, the detour being by way of Blue Mounds avenue north to No. 8.
The applying of the oil on this two-mile stretch is one of many being done by the Minnesota Highway department for experimental purposes, for which numerous preparations are being given a trial. Tarvia has been applied to a section of No. 6 near Pipestone.
Re-gravelling trunk highway No. 9 between this city and Magnolia was started the fore part of this week by Contractor J. B. Deuel, of Worthington, who is using from fifteen to twenty motor trucks for hauling. It is expected that this job will be far advanced by the end of the present week.
Gravel for the first three miles east of this city is being taken from the Ford gravel pit in the city, and the remainder of the gravel needed will be hauled from the Thompson pit at Magnolia. The truck loads average about two and a fourth cubic yards of gravel, and close to 700 cubic yards is being spread on the road during each day.
The work of replenishing stock piles for No. 8 and re-gravelling patches of this road that needed such attention, which was done by the county, was finished last week by Mr. Deuel. Gravel for this contract was hauled from the Ward pit northeast of this city. Six stock piles, each containing about two hundred cubic yards of gravel, were stored up along the highway. This and the re-gravelling found necessary, required the hauling of 2,300 cubic yards of gravel.
Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

The following appeared in the Rock County Herald on Jan. 29, 1926:
 
COUNTY SKI TOURNAMENT SCHEDULED FOR FEB. 12TH
 
Between Thirty and Forty coasters to Take Active Part in Highly Thrilling Sport
 
Plans now being made provide for a Rock county Ski tournament to be held at the Norton hill east of Luverne, on Friday, February 12th. It is expected that this will be one of the biggest out-of-door sport events held in this section in a long while.
Indications are that between thirty and forty skiers will participate in the day’s events, which are to start at 2:30 in the afternoon and will last for approximately three hours. Six prizes will be awarded. As the ski take off has been in use for several weeks, quite a number of the coasting fans have become proficient in the art of handling skis and many thrilling stunts are looked forward to.
Arrangements for the tournament are being made under the direction of Secretary Einar Lorange, of the Luverne Ski club. All those who desire to take part in the afternoon’s events are requested to register with him on or before next Thursday, February 4th.
No entrance fee will be required from skiers who participate and members of the Luverne Ski club will be admitted free to the grounds. An admission fee of 25 cents will be charged all others, however, in order to defray the expenses of holding the tournament.
It is held that the afternoon’s events will constitute such a truly interesting program that it will repay any one to drive many miles in order to witness it. As February 12th is a legal holiday, it is expected that most of the business houses will close for the afternoon in order to promote attendance at the tournament.
Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.
 

This is to continue my article from last week:
 
ORGANIZATION OF ROCK COUNTY
 
On the 17th day of October, 1870, this board held its first meeting at the house of H. A. Gregory. Daniel Wilmott was chosen chairman, and P. J. Kniss, clerk pro tem. The first work of the board was to call an election to be held in November, 1870. They divided the county into three election precincts or commissioners’ districts.
District No. 1 consisted of all that territory lying north of the south line of sections 1,2,3,4,5, and 6, township 102, ranges 44,45,46,47. In this district E. N. Darling, J. F. Shoemaker, and E. S. Gregory were appointed as the first judges of the election, and the house of E. S. Gregory was designated as the place for holding the same.
District No. 2 comprised all the territory lying south of the District No. 1 as far as the south line of section 24, township 101, ranges 44,45,46,47. In this district the election was to be held at the house  of J. C. Gregory; and M. C. Smith, J. C. Phelps, and J. C. Gregory were appointed first judges of election.
District No. 3 embraced the balance of the county, and John H. Ferguson, Frank S. Mason, and A. B. Thompson were chosen as judges of election; the election to be held at the house of the first named.
This ended the business of the board at its first meeting, and it then adjourned to the house of A. McMurphy, Nov. 9, 1870.
The election was held as ordered and resulted in the choice of the following named gentlemen as the first county officers of Rock County: County Auditor, Ed McKenzie; Treasurer, J. F. Shoemaker; Register of Deeds, John H. Ferguson; Sheriff, S. D. Gregory; Clerk of Court, H. A. Gregory; Surveyor, P. J. Kniss; Court Commissioner, Amos E. Estey; County Attorney, L. B. McCullum; County Commissioners, E. N. Darling, Philo Hawes, and L. B. McCullum. At the same time H. C. Gregory was elected as the first Justice of the Peace in Rock County.
When the county was first organized the county officials kept their offices at their respective homes; J. H. Ferguson, the register of deeds, keeping his office at his claim, within a mile of the Iowa State line. When B. S. Wold put up his store, a desk for county business was used there, and the offices shifted about several times before being finally anchored in their present quarters.
Next week the article will continue with the organization of the townships.
Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, P.O. Box 741, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

The following was found in an atlas dated 1886:
 
ORGANIZATION OF ROCK COUNTY
 
Prior to its organization Rock County was attached to Jackson for civil and judicial purposes, and when, in the winter of 1869-70, the Legislature passed the enabling act, there was but comparatively little talk or agitation of the question. However, after the passage of the bill, in July or August, 1870, the Governor of the State appointed J. F. Shoemaker, J. C. Phelps, and A. E. Estey as commissioners to locate the county seat of the proposed county. The governor had also requested that a convention be held to suggest or present names for the county commissioners to be appointed. This convention was held, and on the same day the county-seat commissioners met, at the house of Jonathan Phelps in the southern part of Luverne Township. Mr. Shoemaker had written a report for the commissioners which located the county seat at Luverne, there being no opposition to speak of. The convention held the same presented names as requested. In the course of a few weeks the Governor appointed Daniel Wilmott, H. A. Gregory, and Abraham McMurphy as county commissioners to organize the county and call the first election.
(This article will continue next week.)
Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, P.O. Box 741, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

The following appeared in the Rock County Herald on November 20, 1896:
 
The Northwestern long distance telephone line with headquarters in Skauge’s drug store, is completed as far west as Salem. All important towns along this route will be supplied with instruments. Last week the work of stringing the wires from Minneapolis to Fargo, N. D., was finished and as soon as the instruments are placed in position and connections are made with Worthington, the people of Luverne can talk with the people in North Dakota’s metropolis. Early in the spring a wire will be strung from Mankato to Winona, thus enabling citizens of Luverne and Winona to converse whenever they choose. The connections at Worthington will be made in a few days and we will then be on speaking terms with people in St. Paul and Minneapolis and intermediate towns.
 
As you all know, the sale is over. Thanks to all who donated items for the sale and to all the people who bought! We are in the new History Center now, and we will have an open house from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30. Please join us to celebrate the opening of the History Center!
Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, P.O. Box 741, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

The following appeared in the Rock County Herald on December 4, 1896:
 
STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR 1896
 
The Total Acreage of Various Farm Products, the Number of Horses, Cattle, Sheep and Hogs, and Other Facts of Interest—Some Comparisons With the Statistics for 1895
 
The agricultural statement of Rock county for the year 1896, prepared by the county auditor from the statistics gathered by the assessors in the several precincts, embodies some interesting facts. The summary shows that there are 451 farms in the county with a total of 114,211 acres under cultivation. The acreage of grain and other products was as follows:
Wheat  ............      43,213
Oats ................       22,737
Corn ...............       22,250
Barley .............      20,255
Rye .......................        331
Buckwheat .............    51
Potatoes ...............      627
Beans .......................        6
Cultivated hay ... 1,844
Flax ....................      2,819
Other products ......  78
In 1895 the total number of acres under cultivation was 102,840, and the acreage of the various products was as follows:
Wheat .............      30,120
Oats ................       21,313
Corn ...............       23,746
Barley .............      21,698
Rye .........................        86
Potatoes ...............      460
Beans .....................       16
Cultivated hay ... 1,681
Flax  ..................       3,688
Other products ......  32
The yield from this acreage in 1895 was as follows: Wheat, 665,830 bu.; oats, 843,375 bu.; corn, 456,281 bu.; barley, 728,555 bu.; rye, 2,272 bu.; potatoes, 34,385 bu.; beans 57 bu.; cultivated hay, 2,112 tons; flax, 40,520 bushels.
The number of horses, cattle and hogs in the county for the year 1896 is given in the following:
Horses, under 3 years ... 742
Horses, over 3 years ... 2,743
Cattle, under 3 years .. 2,148
Cows ...........................  2,413
All other cattle ................  33
Hogs ............................ 7,749
Mules and asses .............. 62
Sheep ............................. 719
In 1895 there were 1,086 sheep sheared in the fall and the amount of wool was 2,471 lbs. In 1896 there were 341 sheep sheared in the spring and the amount of wool was 2,888 lbs. There were 2,000 milch cows in the county in 1895 and the total butter product was 206,175 lbs. In 1895 there were 3,059 apple trees, 440 of which were bearing: this year there are 3,342 apple trees, of which 1,127 bore fruit. There were 225 acres of forest trees planted and growing in the county this year.
Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, P.O. Box 741, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

The following appeared in the Rock County Herald on February 13, 1925:
 
M. W. CHUNN TAKES ISSUE WITH REPRESENTATIVE JACOBSON
 
Contends That Measure Prohibiting Sunday Movies, Sponsored by Him, is “Foolish and Vicious.”
 
To the Editor of Rock County Herald:
Many of the friends of Representative J. N. Jacobson will be disappointed in him when they learn that he is one of the sponsors of a bill to prohibit moving picture shows on Sunday. Mr. Jacobson certainly did not receive any mandate for such action from the voters of Rock county. The slogan of the voters of this county during the late campaign was “No more new laws!”
While church-going people might have a shadow of pretense to complain that out-door sports on Sunday, such as base ball and horse racing, interfere with the “repose and religious liberty of the community,” no like complaint is possible as regards moving picture shows. These shows are in an entirely different class. The show is given in-doors and there is no noise or clamor to disturb the most sensitive person.
Many persons who work all the week find on Sunday their only opportunity to attend the movies. To deprive such persons of Sunday shows would mean to deprive them altogether of this kind of amusement.
The passage of this bill would not only be unjust to the public, but unjust to the proprietors of the movies. The Sunday shows are the best patronized, and in many places it would be impossible for a moving picture theatre to exist on the week day patronage alone.
The fact that Sunday shows are so well patronized proves that the people want them. What the people want they will sooner or later get in spite of the ill-advised efforts of Mr. Jacobson and his two colleagues. A minority of fanatics cannot forever restrain a majority of the people from the exercise of their personal rights and privileges.
Other states are repealing their blue laws and allowing their citizens to enjoy themselves on Sunday. The still Sabbath of the Jews, masquerading in the garb of Sunday, no longer reigns. Minnesota has always been one of the most liberal of the states in safe-guarding the rights of its citizens, and it will not now turn backward the hands of the clock.
This bill is another manifestation of that dangerous mania to regulate the other fellow. Far too many bills have been introduced at this session of the legislature. Most of them could be described as “foolish, but harmless,” but there is no other way to describe Mr. Jacobson’s bill than “foolish and vicious.”
Feb. 10, 1925                                                                      M. W. CHUNN
 
 
Remember the auction—Saturday, Oct. 8, at 1 p.m.  See you there!
Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, P.O. Box 741, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

The following appeared in the Rock County Herald on November 27, 1896:
 
Hills Creamery
The Hills creamery made a very satisfactory record during the month of October. The Crescent says: “The board of directors of the Hills Creamery association met Monday of last week. After allowing bills for expenses during the month of October, they found they could allow the patrons 16 cents net for their butter. This is a better showing than any creamery throughout this section was able to make the same month this year, and if the farmer living in this vicinity furnishes milk to the creamery and wishes then to trade with our merchants, they will give you $11.00 worth of goods for every $10.00 in milk checks or $1.10 for $1.00. The goods are marked in plain figures and it is square dealing.”
Reminder:
Our auction will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at The History Center.
We would welcome any items you might have for a donation to this sale. The matching funds available now will not be given after Jan. 1. Thank you for all the support you have given us in the past.
Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, P.O. Box 741, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.