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1924: Day-light hold up occurs at Ashcreek State Bank

The following appeared in the Rock County Herald on May 23, 1924:
 
BANDITS ROB ASHCREEK STATE BANK
 
Secure $700.00 in Currency and Few Liberty Bonds in Daring Day-Light Hold Up
 
GEO. M. LaDUE FORCED INTO BANK’S VAULT
 
Robbers Consist of Four Men Who Come and Disappear in New Buick Automobile
About $700 in currency and several Liberty bonds were obtained in a daring day-light robbery of the Ashcreek State bank, staged Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock. Geo. M. LaDue, who happened to be in charge of the bank at the time, was compelled at the point of a leveled gun to stand idly by while the money was being collected, and then enter the vault and have its doors closed upon him.
There were four men in the party of robbers, and they traveled in a brand new Buick six touring car, but only two of the men participated in the holdup, the other two remaining in the waiting automobile. Mr. LaDue was able to open the vault door within two or three minutes after the robbers had left the bank. He at once spread an alarm, which resulted in reports being phoned to all surrounding towns, but up to yesterday noon, there had been no developments that might lead to the apprehension of the culprits.
The robbers were first noticed in Ashcreek at about 11 o’clock Wednesday morning, and it is now thought that they planned to rob the bank during the noon hour but were prevented from doing so owing to the presence of a number of Northern States Power Co. linemen. The latter workmen assembled near the bank and spent the noon hour pitching horseshoes, and this is believed to have caused the robbers to postpone their plans.
The two men who took the active parts in the robbery were dressed in overalls, one in blue and the other in khaki, and their general appearance led those who observed them to suppose that they were electric or phone linemen. The fact that they were seen sizing up wire connections on posts gave added weight to this theory.
Their general appearance, however, tended to create suspicion, and while they were near the Lundy Hill home on the Kitterman farm, a block or so south of the bank, Mr. Hill, who is a constable, expressed doubt about their business there, and he asked Mrs. Hill to endeavor to get the number of the license plate. But when she tried to do so, she found that she could not distinguish anything on the plate, but the letters, S. D., the numerical figures being so thickly covered with dust that it is thought that the robbers must have smeared grease over them in order to collect dust and hide the numbers.
Next week: What occurred after two o'clock left bank employees in shock.

1929: Celebration plans underway for old Company A. 136th Infantry

The following appeared in the Rock County Herald on May 16, 1924:
 
OLD CO. A BOYS TO HOLD RE-UNION HERE MAY 27
 
Committee in Charge of Arrangements Wants Every Member to be Here for a Day of Pleasure
 
Plans are being made for a re-union of the members of the old Company A. 136th Infantry, which is to be held in this city on Tuesday, May 27th. A committee of George M. LaDue, P. K. Myers and Carl Schmuck has been appointed to arrange the day’s affairs, and under their management an afternoon and evening of genuine enjoyment is being provided for.
Major Ezra C. Clemens, who was here for the Legion rally two weeks ago, was the instigator of this re-union. He had been the chaplain with Company A. down at Camp Cody, New Mex., and was looked upon as a father, it is claimed by practically every boy in the camp. His slightest suggestion was law, and so now also, the re-union is being planned upon his request.
Invitations have been sent to all members of the company whose address is known, and they are asked to mention the coming event to their brother “buddies” for quite a number of the men cannot be located by the committee at this time. They are anxious to have as many of the “old gang” here as possible, and every Co. A member, regardless of whether or not he has received a written invitation, will be cordially welcomed at Luverne on re-union day.
Plans are to have the boys meet at the Legion club rooms at three o’clock Tuesday afternoon. Kittenball teams will be organized and this form of sport enjoyed until the time for the banquet, which will be served at seven o’clock at the Manitou hotel. During the evening the Dell-Hogan post dance will be held at the Armory. The Paramount players will be here again and this time will have a ten-piece orchestra, so that the music alone will be an evening’s treat.
Company A. of the Second Minnesota National Guards was mobilized in this city shortly after the United States entered the war, and went into camp at the county fair grounds on June 3, 1918. Robert A. Grout was the captain; Jesse S. Kellihau, of Rock Rapids, first lieutenant and E. C. Dike, of Beaver Creek, second lieutenant. On September 28, of the same year, the company left for Camp Cody, New Mex., together with Co. K. of Worthington. It wasn’t however, until the following June that a summons came, ordering the privates and cooks of the regiment to leave for France, while the officers and non-commissioned officers remained at camp to drill a bunch of drafted men. In August, a move was made to Camp Dix, New Jersey, and the following October saw the remainder of Co. A. sailing for France.
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.
 

1924: Committee begins fund drive for Salvation Army; organization aids homeless and unfortunate

The following appeared in the Rock County Herald on April 18, 1924:
 
DRIVE FOR SALVATION ARMY FUND UNDERWAY
 
Annual Campaign to Raise funds for Support of Mercy Workers Started Wednesday
 
LOCAL COMMITTEE OF FOUR PLACED IN CHARGE
 
Receipts to Go Into General Fund of Organization to Aid the Homeless and Unfortunate
The annual Salvation Army drive in this county commenced Wednesday, and is under the personal supervision of Miss Gillespie, of Salvation Army headquarters. The Kiwanis and Commercial clubs of Luverne have jointly undertaken to carry on the campaign in this county, and solicitation for funds will be made in this city and in the other towns of the county. The quota for the county is $900.00.
A committee of four, composed of F. A. Leicher and Ben Pelstring, of the Commercial club, and A. A. Anderson and Ivan O. Hansen, of the Kiwanis club, will be in charge of the drive. This is the annual appeal for funds made by Salvation Army headquarters, and takes the place of all other drives.
All of the money collected in North and South Dakota and Minnesota will be used in this district, which comprises these three states. In cities where the Army has a corps, as in Sioux Falls for instance, all the donations are used entirely for relief work in that place. The contributions from Rock county will be forwarded to the Minneapolis headquarters.
Although the money is sent from Rock county to the twin cities, it does not mean that Luverne and the county are not entitled to share in the funds or the relief work, for the money is available here as well as in any other place. Any cases of needy persons or families in poor and suffering circumstances should be brought to the attention of Ivan O. Hansen, who will make report of same to headquarters and secure the necessary relief. Wives and children left in destitute circumstances without a husband or father to support them, may make application for aid, and they will either be cared for at the Salvation Army home or assistance will be rendered as long as necessary.
It is everywhere recognized that the Salvation Army is doing a wonderful work throughout this country in saving the homeless and unfortunate, and an urgent appeal is made to all to donate as liberally as their purse will allow, to this worthy cause.
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.

1924: Rock County residents give food for children starving in Germany

The following appeared in the Rock County Herald on March 28, 1924:
 
RELIEF FOR STARVING CHILDREN OF GERMANY
 
People of Rock county Asked To Help In Saving Two Million Kiddies Facing Starvation
 
COUNTY-WIDE DRIVE FOR FUNDS SOON TO BE MADE 
Mayor Leach Appoints committee, With A. O. Moreaux as Chairman to Conduct Mercy Work
 
A drive to raise a fund of $1,000 to aid in the relief of starving children in Germany, will be made in Rock county within a short time, according to plans formulated the first of this week.
Mayor George E. Leach, of Minneapolis, who recently returned from a visit to Germany, is heading the relief movement in Minnesota, and has appointed a committee in Rock  county, with A. O. Moreaux as county chairman to conduct the local campaign. Other members of the committee named by Mr. Leach are:
A. A. Anderson, Geo. Michaelson, Frank F. Michael, Paul K. Myers, W. H. Engleking, Mrs. J. E. Treat, Mrs. C. J. Martin, Rev. P. H. Ristau, City of Luverne; Henry Rolfs, Battle Plain; O. I. Godfrey, Julius Stoterau, Beaver Creek twp.; Nick Kahler, Beaver Creek village; Rev. Goehle, Steen; Ed Ackerman, Kanaranzi; Joe Willers, Luverne twp.; Rudolph Jauert, Mound; H. J. Hemme, Denver; Peter Burmeister, Rose Dell; Fred Rockman, Martin; Wm. Priez, Clinton; F. C. Nuffer, Hills; J. C. Johansen, Hardwick; Henrig Hass, Vienna.
Some of the above members of the committee have given notice of their inability to act, and it is expected that Mayor Leach will make appointments to fill these vacancies in a day or two.
At a meeting of the members of the committee held Tuesday afternoon in the municipal court room in the city hall, it was decided to make a house-to-house campaign throughout the county to solicit funds. Tentative plans were also laid for other activities and these plans will be completed at another meeting of the whole committee some time next week. The plans include an invitation to Mayor Leach to visit Luverne at an early date to tell of conditions he found in Germany.
In view of the fact that a house-to-house campaign in the county represents quite a task, it was decided at Tuesday’s meeting to ask Mayor Leach to appoint four additional members of the committee from each township. This request has been sent to Mr. Leach, and as soon as these additional committeemen selected by him and the vacancies above referred to are filled, another meeting of the committee will be held and final plans for the drive outlined.
It is proposed to raise $250,000 in Minnesota, and Rock county’s suggested quota is 10 cents per capita. Fifty cents, it is said, will feed one child for a month, and $5 will feed one child until the next harvest. Over two million children it is claimed, are facing starvation.
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.

1924: Auditor reports 283 real estate transfers

The following appeared in the Rock County Herald on January 18, 1924:
 
REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS SHOW BIG DECREASE
 
Only Two Hundred Eighty-Three Conveyances Filed During Year With Sixty-Nine for Luverne
 
Two hundred eighty three transfers of real estate were made in this county during the year 1923, according to the records of County Auditor Olaf Skyberg. This is similar to the records of a year ago, but shows an enormous decrease since the “flush” years when everybody was buying or trading land, and the real estate business was at its height.
Of the total number of transfers, a consideration is stipulated in only 126. While 28 are final decrees handed down by the probate court. The city of Luverne leads by far all the other civil divisions of the county, having 69 transfers, in thirty-five of which considerations are mentioned, and six of which are final decrees.
The transfers of the other villages and townships of the county are recorded as follows:
         Battle Plain township, eight transfers, with six considerations and one final decree.
Beaver Creek township, seventeen transfers, four considerations, one final decree.
Beaver Creek village, twelve transfers, seven considerations, one final decree.
Clinton, fifteen transfers, eight considerations, and no final decree.
Denver, eighteen transfers, nine considerations, three final decrees.
Hardwick, five transfers, four of which had stipulated considerations.
Hills, nineteen transfers, with only seven considerations.
Jasper, ten transfers, having four considerations and one final decree.
         Kanaranzi township, twenty-three transfers, thirteen considerations and a final decree.
Luverne township, seven transfers, with three considerations and one final decree.
         Magnolia township, fifteen transfers, four stipulated considerations and two final decrees.
Village of Magnolia, seven transfers, with three considerations and one final decree.
         Mound, ten transfers, three considerations, one final decree.
Rose Dell, eighteen transfers, five considerations, one decree.
Springwater, eleven transfers, four considerations and four final decrees.
Vienna township, eight transfers, with two considerations and two final decrees.
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.

1924: Auto Company lends vacant lots as hitching places

The following appeared in the Rock County Herald on January 18, 1924:
 
FARMERS TO BE PROVIDED WITH HITCHING PLACES
 
Home Automotive Co. Tenders Use of Vacant Lots for This Purpose to Luverne Commercial Club
 
Accepting the offer of the Home Automotive Co., to donate the use of the vacant lots at the corner of Lincoln and McKenzie streets as a hitching place for the teams of farmers, the Luverne Commercial club at a meeting held Tuesday evening completed arrangements for the installation of the necessary hitching posts for such a purpose.
First efforts of the club were directed towards ascertaining what arrangements could be made for providing barn shelter for teams of farmers while in town during the winter months, and to find out what hitching post facilities could be provided. A committee composed of Ben. Pelstring, Lloyd Long and Will Ellis was named to take charge of this matter.
This committee made its report Tuesday evening, to the effect that it was impossible to secure barn room on a scale sufficiently extensive to be of any value, but that the Home Automotive Co. had tendered the vacant lots as a hitching place. The offer of the Home Automotive Co., was accepted and the matter of providing hitching facilities was taken up.
The result was that the city of Luverne donated a supply of old boiler flues, which can no longer be used at the plant, which will be utilized as hitching posts; the Luverne Motor Truck Co., agreed to do the sawing and drilling on the flues free from charge, and Manager Harry A. Edgar, of the Northwestern Telephone exchange, will furnish the necessary cable, and the tools required for digging the post holes.
And last, but not least, thirty odd other members of the club have agreed to form a posthole digging bee, on a certain day, as early as will be convenient, when they shall undertake the task of digging the post holes and setting the posts.
Through arrangements made with the common council, it will be the duty of the street commissioner to see that the hitching places are kept clean.
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.

1924: Assessors gather for annual meeting

The following appeared in the Rock County Herald on March 28, 1924:
 
ROCK COUNTY ASSESSORS TO MEET NEXT FRIDAY
 
Representative of State Tax Commission to be Present and fully Explain Assessment Requirements
 
The regular annual meeting of the assessors of Rock county for the purpose of receiving instructions and advice before taking up their duties for the new year, will be held next Friday, April 4th, at the county auditor’s office in this city, commencing at 10 o’clock in the forenoon.
All assessors of the county who can possibly arrange to do so, are urged to attend this meeting, for a representative of the Minnesota Tax commission will be present and carefully outline the proper methods of assessing the various kinds of personal property in accordance with the requirements governing such matters.
This representative of the tax commission will also endeavor to answer all questions submitted by assessors pertaining to their duties, and if there is any phase of the work which is not clear to an assessor, that will be the most opportune time to have the matter cleared up.
Assessors are entitled to pay for the time spent in attending this meeting, their remuneration being fixed at five cents per mile for each mile necessarily traveled in going to and returning from the meeting and to four dollars additional for each day in attendance of these sessions.
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.

1924: Gas prices near peak at 24.8 cents per gallon

 
The following appeared in the Rock County Herald on February 8, 1924:
 
PRICES OF GASOLINE GIVEN ANOTHER BOOST
 
Standard and Independents Act in Unison in Boosting Prices 2 cents Throughout Northwest
 
SECOND 2-CENT RAISE MADE IN LAST 30 DAYS
 
Prices Now Near Peak in Minnesota—Rise In Price of Crude Oil Cited As Cause of Increase
 
Cost of gasoline to users throughout the Northwest took another jump Tuesday. This time the increase was two cents, making the selling price at service stations in Luverne 20.8 cents per gallon for what is known as common, and 23.8 cents per gallon for high test.
This brings the price well up towards the high peak of 24.8 cents per gallon for ordinary gasoline, which prevailed before Gov. McMaster, of South Dakota, threw a monkey wrench into the oil interests game of grab, thereby starting the gasoline price war in South Dakota that was reflected in other states.
This is the second increase in price put on gasoline within the past month, both increases being on a two cents a gallon basis, so that at present, the oil industry is picking up.
At Sioux Falls, where the reduced price war waxed the warmest, an increase of six cents a gallon was slapped on gasoline last week, and the general two cents a gallon increase was added this week, bringing the selling price up to 23.5 a gallon for common.
Independent dealers followed the lead of the Standard Oil Co. in adding the increase, which also applies to tank line deliveries. Independents sought to explain their actions by higher quotations at the refineries, and partly because still higher prices are anticipated with a stronger price for crude oil.
It is stated that Pennsylvania crude oil has been advancing at the rate of about 25 cents a week, and that western crude that sold at 60 to 80 cents in October is now sold at close to $2.50 per barrel. It is further claimed that while gasoline could be bought last week at the refineries for 11.5 cents, the price this week is 12.5 cents.
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.

1923: County agent asks for homegrown seed

The following appeared in the Rock County Herald on December 28, 1923:
 
SHORTAGE OF GOOD HOME GROWN SEED IS INDICATED
 
County Agent Roske Seeks to Locate Good Local Grown Seed for Distribution In County
 
In consideration of the great shortage this year of good, clean, home-grown seed of many varieties of farm grains, County Agent M. P. Roske is endeavoring to locate and get a distribution, in as far as possible, of home-grown seeds throughout this county, which he considers will be far more profitable to the farmers than the purchase of seed from foreign countries.
This shortage of seed is especially noted in clovers, he states, and as a result, some of the large seed firms are shipping in great amounts of clover from European countries. Through numerous trials it has been found that seed from southern parts of Europe winter kills very badly in this part of the United States. This imported seed is therefore of very little value to Rock county farmers, unless it comes from the more northern countries of Europe.
In connection with his plan for distribution of home-grown seeds in the county, Mr. Roske is securing tests on all seed both as to purity and germination, in order that farmers may know just what they are purchasing. He asks that farmers who have any seed for sale or are desirous of purchasing seed for next spring, notify him as to the amount of the several kinds of grain which they might have for sale, or the amount they wish to purchase.
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.

1923: County agent asks for homegrown seed

The following appeared in the Rock County Herald on December 28, 1923:
 
SHORTAGE OF GOOD HOME GROWN SEED IS INDICATED
 
County Agent Roske Seeks to Locate Good Local Grown Seed for Distribution In County
 
In consideration of the great shortage this year of good, clean, home-grown seed of many varieties of farm grains, County Agent M. P. Roske is endeavoring to locate and get a distribution, in as far as possible, of home-grown seeds throughout this county, which he considers will be far more profitable to the farmers than the purchase of seed from foreign countries.
This shortage of seed is especially noted in clovers, he states, and as a result, some of the large seed firms are shipping in great amounts of clover from European countries. Through numerous trials it has been found that seed from southern parts of Europe winter kills very badly in this part of the United States. This imported seed is therefore of very little value to Rock county farmers, unless it comes from the more northern countries of Europe.
In connection with his plan for distribution of home-grown seeds in the county, Mr. Roske is securing tests on all seed both as to purity and germination, in order that farmers may know just what they are purchasing. He asks that farmers who have any seed for sale or are desirous of purchasing seed for next spring, notify him as to the amount of the several kinds of grain which they might have for sale, or the amount they wish to purchase.
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.