Freeborn County, Minnesota - Chapter 24: Modern Albert Lea, 1911

Chapter 24: Modern Albert Lea

Advantages of Albert Lea as a Place of Residence - Parks - Street Paving - Street Lighting - Water Works - Sewers - Telephones - Fire Department - City Hall and Engine House - Carnegie Library - City and County Hospital - Business Men's League - Cemeteries - Written by Joseph P. Hurley.

Albert Lea, destined without doubt to be the metropolis of southern Minnesota, is situated in the center of Freeborn county, noted for its extensive dairy and diversified farming interests. With broad, well-paved business streets, modern, well-kept bus¬ iness houses, handsome, attractive residences and a background of lakes, meadow and woodland, it at once combines the progres¬ sive commercial center with all the attractions usually offered by the most delightful summer resorts. With boating, fishing, hunt¬ ing at its very doors, the visitor may find all the delights of w oodland, lake and stream, without any of the discomforts usually met with in seeking sylvan pleasures. Located as it is, on a table land between Albert Lea and Fountain lakes, three-fourths of its bor¬ ders are on these lakes, the high, irregular banks making possi¬ ble the locating of avenues, boulevards and streets in such a way that the homes situated thereon add to rather than detract from the natural beauties of the scenery as Mother Nature painted it.

Broadway, the principal business street, is 100 feet wide, and runs north and south, extending from the short of Fountain lake to the southern limits of the city. Parallel with Broadway on the west is Washington street, on the east Newton street, and inter¬ secting are Water, Clark, William, Main, College and Pearl streets, within this territory being located nearly all the business houses. Scattering from this center are the various large and small industries which help to produce the wealth and extend the fair name of our city throughout the country.

The railroad facilities are unsurpassed, there being five lines of railroads, radiating in ten directions, being second only to the Twin Cities in this respect. Four of the five have division head¬ quarters here, and on this solid foundation rests the present pros¬ perity and future prospects of the city.

Both in religious and educational institutions. Albert Lea is unexcelled by any city of its size in the United States. The public school buildings comprise the central group, including the high school building, which represents an investment of $150,000, and two ward school buildings which bring the grand total to over $200,000. For higher education there is Albert Lea College for Women, Luther Academy, the latter a Lutheran preparatory col¬ lege, and the new Catholic parochial school in charge of the devout' sisters of that church. The Albert Lea Business College and National Business College, both thriving commercial schools, provide facilities for commercial training.

Poets may sing the legendary stories of the cities of the old world and painters depict the beauties of earth and sky, but if all the stories and pictures of the most talented geniuses of the .past were rolled into one, the result would not provide a place on earth where life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness may be more near¬ ly realized than in beautiful, romantic, fascinating Albert Lea.

According to the federal census of 1910, Albert Lea has a pop¬ ulation of 6,192, but this is not a fair indication of the actual pop¬ ulation, as North Albert Lea, just outside the corporate limits, has a population of about 700, and there are a large number of homes in Edgewater and other suburban additions outside of the limits. Without doubt the population of the city at the present time is 7,500.

The postoffice and village of Albert Lea received their name in the summer, of 1855. One evening, George S. Ruble, Joseph Wilford and Lorenzo Merry met by chance in a tent on Ruble's prop¬ erty and decided to name the settlement after the lake. The postoffice for a time was known as "Lake Albert Lea." In the earliest days the settlement here was commonly known as "Ruble's," and was usually thus designated by travelers.

Parks - While enjoying all the material advantages of most cities, Albert Lea is well supplied with breathing spots for the grown-up citizens and playgrounds for the youngsters.

City Park, which was given to the city by Lorenzo Merry and was platted with the village in 1856, is located two blocks west of Broadway, between Clark and Water streets. It is one city block in size, lying in front of the central school buildings, and provides a delightful playground for the children and a resting place in the warm summer days. Here are given the band concerts and other public gatherings are held. Its beautiful lawn and handsome flo¬ ral decorations, which are provided and cared for by the park board, make it a most delightful place to spend a few minutes or as many hours.

Spring Lake Park, also located within three blocks of Broad¬ way, is a striking example of the changes that come with the growth and development of a city. When the first settlers came here, they found a lake located where Spring Lake Park is now platted, extending, however, somewhat beyond the limits of the present park. This was a beautiful sheet of water and was used extensively tor watering stock. It was given the name of Merry 's Little Lake. There are still living pioneers who as hoys went in swimming on what is now Main street, west of Washington. This lake continued to exist for many years. Its name was changed to Morin's lake, and in time became known as Spring lake. Its waters were eventually drained into Fountain lake, and aside from the park, the electric light plant, a blacksmith shop and many residences occupy its site. The area of the park was deeded to the city in 1880 by William Morin, Clarence Wedge and Mary F. Armstrong. A great sewer emptying into Lake Albert Lea gives drainage to the original depression and the site of the park Ts filled in. The park is still in the progress of development, but in a short time will be seeded and beautified with flowers and fo¬ liage. if the present plans of the park board are carried out as

Frank Hall Park, located southeast of the city and overlooking beautiful Albert Lea lake, was donated to the city by the wellknown pioneer citizen of Albert Lea. Little has been done to add to its natural beauties, although citizens of that part of the city and the park board have great and glorious plans for the future. Some filling has been done, but it will require considerable time and money to make it into a desirable playground for the people.

Armstrong Park, a small triangular piece of ground between Fountain, Grove and West streets, was donated by Augustus Arm¬ strong. While small, it adds a share to the beauty of that most delightful residence section and will be particularly useful since the City and County Hospital has been located .just to the west

Lake Drive. Supplementing and completing, as it were, the park system, there is a beautiful drive, extending from Fountain street, south and west of Fountain lake, along the shores of that lake for five miles. Running along the bank of the lake to Hatch bridge, it follows the shore line of the lake in its winding course, along the high banks of Bancroft creek, crosses the creek and con¬ tinues east and south to the dam between Fountain and Albert Lea lakes, joining Bridge street at that point. It is one of tlimost delightful, picturesque and charming drives to be found anywhere in the country, and with the additions and impror cments which are bound to come with the growth and development of the city, is destined one day to be as well known and famous as some of those we hear so much about at present. It was com¬ pleted in 1880, and to Augustus Armstrong, more than to any other individual, is due the credit for creating it.

Paving. The first paving was done in Albert Lea in the sum¬ mer of 1908. One block of the alley between William and Main streets was laid with brick. For several years the question had been agitated, but in the absence of petitions from property own¬ ers the city council refused to order paving put in. In 1908 a ma¬ jority of the property owners on Broadway for the three blocks between Clark and College streets, and the block on Clark street between Broadway and Washington, petitioned the city council to put in paving. After investigating the merits of the various pav¬ ing materials, the council passed an ordinance calling for bids for paving those streets with either brick or creosote wood blocks. Af¬ ter considerable discussion pro and con the council finally let the contract for creosote block paving to Fielding & Shepley, Of St. Paul. When this was completed and put in use the advantage of well-paved streets appealed strongly to most of the property own¬ ers in the business section, and in 1910 another contract was awarded to the same firm for the same material, which brought the total number of blocks of paving up to twenty-three. The same year several blocks of brick paving were put in the alleys in the business section. In 1911 a contract was again awarded to Fielding & Shepley for sufficient paving to bring the grand total up to fifty blocks, with eleven blocks of brick paving in the al¬ leys. Creosote block was used in all the work on the streets, ex¬ cept on the steep grades, where sandstone was placed. In three years, or at the close of the building season of 1911, practically the entire business section has been paved, and the citizens gen¬ erally are so well pleased with paved streets that there is little question but that the next two or three years will see practically all the better residence sections with paved streets.

Street Lighting. Charles H. Farnsworth was given an electric light franchise in 1886. November 1 a few lights were strung and the switch was turned by Hon. John A. Lovely. The system was in full operation December 6, 1886. C. G. Edwards became Farns¬ worth's partner and the firm became Farnsworth & Edwards. The service was not satisfactory, and on July 22, 1889, the council de¬ cided to adopt a system of gasoline street lighting, and October 21, 1889, ordered the street lights removed. The gasoline system was then used until November 19, 1895, when the streets were again il¬ luminated by electricity, a contract having been let to the Albert Lea Electric Light Co. The Albert Lea Electric Light Co. was organized to succeed Farnsworth & Edwards, July 1, 1893. The officers of the new company were C. G. Edwards, S. S. Ed¬ wards, S. H. Cady, Harry Jones and W. E. Todd. The cap¬ ital stock was placed at $35,000, of which $25,000 was paid in. Various attempts at municipal ownership of the electric light plant have been made. In 1889 it was proposed that the city buy the Farnsworth & Edwards plant. The same year an ordinance was passed authorizing the city to con¬ tract for a municipal electric light system, but the contract was never signed. In the early nineties a tax levy of $3,000 was made for a municipal electric light system, but alter consid¬ erable agitation and discussion, the movement for a municipal plant lagged and died out entirely. A majority of people still clung to the hope that competition in the lighting business would compel the company to give better service and lower rates, so in 1901. when Frank Moore Jeffery came here and proposed to install a gas-making plant, he was received with open arms. Public meetings were held and his proposition for a franchise was en¬ dorsed. Conforming to what seemed the strong demand of the people, the city council granted him a franchise which practically covered the city. Shortly after this Jeffery disposed of his inteiests to the older company, and both electric and gas-lighting sys¬ tems were consolidated, the Albert Lea Light & Pow er Co. being organized to take them over. Since that time both plants have been greatly improved, and while the service has been good and the company has once voluntarily reduced the price of electricity during the past ten years, many citizens still think the rates higher than they should be. This sentiment has lain dormant for the past few years, and the people seem to have settled doA\ n to the acceptance of the rates now charged as the low est that can be se* cured at present. The present curb lighting of the business streets was installed in 1907, under a five-year contract signed by the city council on February 7 of that year. While it costs more than the old arc system, the beauty and attractiveness of it has carried the name and fame of Albert Lea to every corner of the country. On Broadwray there is a standard with a cluster of three incandescent lights, under large white globes, six to a block, while on Main street, between the two principal railroad depots as well as the entire length of West College street, standards with a single globe, six to the block, make these streets a rarely beautiful sight at night.

Waterworks. Many discussions finally saAV fruit in the instal¬ lation of a city waterworks plant, put in operation November 5, 1891. Previous to that time water for fire protection Avas secured from a number of cisterns located at various points about the city, with a number of wdiarfs located on the shores of k ountain lake, where the firemen could locate the fire engine in times of necessity. The supply for private use was secured from w^ells and the numer¬ ous flowing springs about the lake, some fifty or sixty in number. The pumping station vTas located on the shore of Fountain lake, near the head of Broadway, wdiere the first Avell - eight inches in diameter and 660 feet deep - "was dug. The original plant, the mains for which were mostly eight inches, extended from the pumping station to College street, thence to the water tOAver, lo¬ cated in the block bounded by BroadAvay, College, NeAvton and Main streets: Avest on College to the Gilbert house, thence to South

Pearl to the Southern Minnesota depot. From Broadway a main followed Clark to Adams, thence to College, thence to the Union depot. A main also led from Broadway one block west, thence, to Fountain street. The usual hydrants were provided at frequent intervals. E. E. Sykes was the contractor, AY. AY. Curtiss drew the plans and D. F. Stacy was the local engineer. The council committee in charge of the original work was Adam AVeigand, C. AY. Ranson, AA . A. Morin and C. M. AA ilkinson. To keep pace with the growth of the city and supply the increasing demand for water, it was necessary nine years later to dig a second welltwelve inches in diameter and 448 feet deep - near the first one. AA ith the two wells the supply has been ample and will take care of the growth of the city for some years to come. From time to time, as demand was made by the citizens, the water mains have been extended, until now the system covers practically every sec¬ tion within the corporate limits and totals eleven miles in extent. The capacity of the plant is 1,000,000 gallons per day. Several days during the past summer, when the weather was warm and dry, 700,000 gallons were pumped during twenty-four hours, while the average per day during the past year has been 450,000 gallons each twenty-four hours. The normal pressure is fifty pounds, and when a fire emergency demands, 100 pounds pressure can easily be reached. At present there are 900 patrons. The present superin¬ tendent, AY. S. Beedl.e, has been in charge of the plant since 1902, and has proven himself a capable and competent manager.

Sewers. Although the first sewerage system was put in in the fall of 1897, for the next ten years practically nothing further was done until some three years ago. The original sewer was laid in the alleys behind the principal business streets and covered the territory embraced in the territory between Newton street on the east to the Minneapolis & St. Louis depot on the west, in the al¬ leys on both sides of Broadway from AYater to College streets, south to the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, taking in a section on both sides of the latter and extending east to the outlet in Albert Lea lake. Three years ago a contract for a trunk sewer carrying both drainage and sanitary sections was let to Tanner Bros, of Minneapolis at a cost of $30,763.75. This trunk sewer was necessary before the sewerage system could be further ex¬ tended, as the capacity of the old trunk sewer was used with the section already covered. The new trunk sewer, which is 33x44, horseshoe shape, with a twelve-inch pipe for drainage, begins at the north side of Main street in the center of St. Alary, continues east of the Albert Lea Light & Power plant, south to College street. Here the sanitary sewer is enlarged to 36x48, continuing down Pearl, east on Pearl to Newton. At this point the sewer separates, the sanitary sewer continuing easterly to the lake. The sanitary sewer passes east under the Rock Island tracks to a point just west of the Milwaukee bridge, where an inverted syphon silts the sewage two and one-half feet into a concrete sewer which runs 1300 feet to the outlet in Albert Lea lake. In order to get the proper fall the sewer at t lie point where it reaches the bridge was lower than the level of the lake, hence the necessity of the lift to raise it into the lake. With this trunk sewer completed the laterals are being rapidly exended to all parts of the city and within the next two or three years every part of the residence sections will be able to have connection with a good sewerage system. City Engineer William Barneck, who has planned and watched the construction of practically all of the work, estimates the cost of the sewers so far built at $60,000 and that the system contemplated was only about one-fourtli completed.

Telephones. An early telephone system was installed by Frank Fobes. On December 4, 1893, he applied to the city council for a franchise and on December 14, 1893, the council by resolution granted the franchise. It was very general in its terms and gave him the use of the streets throughout the city. During 1894 he installed the system, at an approximate cast of $6,000. He contin¬ ued in charge of the business until 1900, when his health failed and F. AY. Barlow was appointed guardian for him by the Probate Court and took charge of the business. On January 17, 1901, he sold the business to Seward H. Cady for $10,000. January 17, 1901, the Albert Lea Telephone Co. was organized with a capital of $15,000, and on March 7 following Air. Cady transferred the business to that company. This company gradually enlarged the plant, George AAA Johnson being manager for the company, and while there was more or leus complaint from the patrons on the service, there was no particular agitation of the subject until 1905, when the Tri-State Telephone Co. applied to the council for per¬ mission to enter the city and establish an exchange.

A year or so previous to this time the Northwestern Telejdione Co. had purchased a controlling interest in the local company, and although the citizens generally were in the mood to welcome com¬ petition in the telephone business, the almost unanimous sentiment was to try to get both companies to combine in one exchange and thus avoid the double charge for a complete service. The North¬ western Company declined to enter into such an arrangement and the city council appeared determined to compel them to do so. An ordinance was passed by the council ordering t lie Northwestern Company to remove their poles and lines from certain streets which it was understood the original franchise did not cover, but before t he city authorities could enforce it the telephone company secured first a temporary injunction and later a permanent one, forbidding the city authorities interfering with the present system.

Tlie Northwestern Company, however, offered to improve and ex¬ tend the service, and while a majority of the citizens desired that they be given an opportunity to do so, the city council and the mayor, defeated in their efforts to curb the old company, then granted the Tri-State the right to enter the city, under certain re¬ strictions as to the price to be charged for telephones and pro¬ viding for putting the wires underground in the business and cer¬ tain parts of the residence section. While this competition brought a slight reduction in the charges - the old company charging $2.50 per month for business phones and the rate the Tri-State could charge being limited to $2.00 - the users found that in order to get a complete service both telephones must be used.

Following the granting of the franchise to the Tri-State, that company promptly secured ground in the business section, erected a building and installed a complete local exchange. All the wires downtown and in most of the residence section were placed under¬ ground. Their business grew steadily until they now have a list of about 1280, including the farmers, who are directly connected with the local exchange. The total cost of the plant is approxi¬ mately $60,000. The Northwestern Company, from the necessity of meeting the competition of the new company, has improved and enlarged its plant, and although not having as large a list of local patrons, has the advantage of a more extensive long distance service. Its local plant represents about the same investment as the other company, or nearly $60,000. With the total number of telephone users divided between the two companies, the tele¬ phone situation has settled down to a long distance contest, which will probably remain as it is until such time as one or the other succeeds in gaining a monopoly of the business throughout the country. The consensus of opinion seems to be that the telephone business is a natural monopoly, which, when properly regulated by law, will give patrons the cheapest and best service where one company occupies the field alone.

Fire Department - The first meeting of Engine Company No. 1 was called to order July 18, 1879, by Rev. J. R. Chambers. J. R. Richards was appointed secretary pro tern, and officers were elected as follows: Foreman, James Allen; assistant foreman, An¬ son Peck; foreman of hose, Charles Soth; assistant foreman of hose, J. J. Bond; treasurer, N. O. Narveson; secretary, J. R. Rich¬ ards. A constitution was accepted July 26 of the same year and F. B. Fobes was elected chief. The department was then situated in the old city hall. The apparatus was meagre compared with the present modern equipment, but was then considered the best of its class. Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1. was organ¬ ized September 14, 1888, with E. H. Ellickson, foreman; H. I. Han¬ son, assistant foreman; S. O. Simonson, secretary, and P. A. Nel- son. treasurer. The two companies were organized as a depart¬ ment the same day. W. P. Sergeant was elected chief of depart¬ ment. Since then the department has developed and expanded until in 1895 a Fire Relief Association was organized, with : Pres¬ ident. Adam "Wiegand ; vice president, E. AV . Knatvold ; secretary ,

C. E. Brainerd ; treasurer, H. Wohlhuter ; board of trustees, Messrs. Simonson and Gunderson. In the fall of 1909 this asso¬ ciation completed a splendid auditorium. It has also paid out ad¬ equate sums to injured members, though fortunately accidents

With the modern chemical apparatus that the company pos¬ sess they can kill the better part of the fire without even turning on water. It is an established fact that Albert Lea has the most efficient fire department in the northwest for a city of its size. "Bill" Mitchell, former chief, was well known from the Atlantic to Alaska, and everywhere between, as a fire-fighter. He led the department for twenty years and brought it to a state of perfec¬ tion. His sterling qualities as a man were fully exemplified as a fire-fighter. The department in his charge consisted of six men, with driver, always on duty, twenty active volunteers, who ran at the tap of the bell, and fifteen honorary members. The apparatus consisted of one combination chemical and hose wagon, one large hose wagon, one sixty-foot Segrave hook and ladder, one team with swinging harness and an electric fire alarm system.

Mr. Mitchell resigned in January, 1911, and on January 22 A. F. Wohlhuter was elected chief by the department, the city council confirming the election on January 27, 1911. The present officers and members of the department, together with the officers

City Hall and Engine House. Soon after the city was organ¬ ized a temporary tool shed was provided for city tools. An engine house was erected in the summer of 1879 on lots presented to the city by William Morin and Thomas H. Armstrong, the location be¬ ing on Main street, west of Broadway. The engine house was ready for occupancy in January, 1880. In 1885 a story was added for assembly purposes and cells constructed in the rear. A bell tower was added in 1893. This building was used until December

23, 1903, when the present handsome brick and stone building located on North Broadway, was ready for occupancy. It is a handsome three-story building, 44x123, of red sandstone and pressed brick, with St. Cloud granite columns, and cost, with the grounds on which it is located, a total of $30,189.77. E. F. Warren was the architect, Baker & Baker the general contractors and Thomas Walsh superintended the construction.

The lower floor is occupied by the fire department team and equipment in front, the offices of the city engineer and chief of po¬ lice, with the city jail in the rear. On the second floor is the office of the city clerk and the council chamber. The third floor is given over to the members of the fire department who are constantly on duty, and used for sleeping rooms, billiard hall, library, gymna¬ sium and the like. In the rear is the municipal court room.

Public Library. In the sping of 1897 a few energetic and pub¬ lic-spirited women banded together and made plans for establish¬ ing a libiarv . -A time was set for a meeting, and all interested in the project were asked to be present. Those present at the first meeting were: Mesdames Olberg, Fuller, Day, Jacobus, Brainerd, Von Berg, Huntoon, Krebs, Dwight, Prentice, Strauss, Hibbs, R. B. Skinner, Jacobus, Hewitt and Merrill. Senator IT. A. Morgan was asked to be present, to draw up the constitution and by-laws. Mrs. Olberg was chosen to preside, and officers were elected as follows : Mrs. Olberg, president ; Mrs. Brainerd, secre¬ tary, and Mrs. Fuller, treasurer. The name of the association to be Albert Lea Library Association.

Any person paying a fee of one dollar a year could become a member and have the use of the books for that period. The first difficult question was, where should the library be located! The only available place at that time was a room in the Eaton house on the corner of Broadway and Water streets. This old house was one of the early structures erected in this city, and was in a very dilapidated condition. However, the association had it put in as good repair as possible, and placed the few books they had on shelves put up for the purpose. The rent for the room was six dollars per month. In May of 1897 the association opened its doors to the public, with Mrs. Wyman Greene as librarian. There were about fifty books on the shelves, and thirteen dollars in the treasury. A paper was circulated and about fifty names were added to the association the first week the library was opened, thus adding enough funds to enable them to send for more books. Bills seemed to accumulate faster than books or patrons, but just when things seemed most discouraging, something was done to help the cause along, so the library was not in debt any length of time. The first year was one of struggle ; the next was not much brighter. Mrs. Greene served as librarian until November, 1897 ; library was onlv open Saturday afternoon and evenings of each week. That same year the teacher gave up the work, and Clara Olberg took charge and served until the next spring, when she went abroad, and Mrs. Brainerd was prevailed upon to fill the vacancy.

The association continued to grow and reap good results, but not without strenuous efforts on the part of its active women members. In the spring of 1899 it was decided to turn the asso¬ ciation's belongings over to the city, upon the agreement to levy a tax with which to support a free public library. Accordingly proper methods were taken and a public library was established. The first patron of the full public library was Mrs. Bouchard. In the fall of 1899 they moved into more commodious quarters, known as the Enterprise building. After moving into the new home the library was open two afternoons and two evenings each week. Mrs. Brainerd was appointed librarian and Nellie Levens assistant.

promote the growth of the library, C. L. Luce, H. G. Day and a few others had started a movement and petitioned Andrew Car¬ negie for money with which to erect a building. After waiting for many weeks, despairing of ever hearing from his agent, one day Mr. Luce received the good news that the required sum could be had by meeting certain conditions. The proposition was ac¬ cepted by our board and the city council. The check came. These were busy days for the library board.

Within a year after the check came the building was ready to be occupied. In May, 1904, the library moved into the handsome new building which it now occupies at the corner of Washington and College streets.

An interesting side light on the history of the public library movement in Albert Lea has been given by the late D. R. P. Hibbs, under the heading "Recollections of Former Libraries." He gives the following account of the first attempt to found a library in Albert Lea, the articles of incorporation for which were filed March 27, 1873: "The incorporators were Frank Hall, Samuel Eaton, Charles Kittelson, D. G. Parker, J. H. Parker, J. W. Smith, S. Batchelder, T. C. Johnsrud, C. W. Levens, A. M. Tyrer, C. W. Ballard, Augustus Armstrong, H. D. Brown and F. B. Fobes. The officers were : Frank Hall, president ; S. Batchelder, vice president; D. R. P. Hibbs, secretary; J. IL Parker, director. Pleasant rooms for this library were fitted up over the old postoffice, and after about a year, when interest lapsed and the library was closed, the financial account showed the receipt of

Mr. And Mrs. Theodore Naeve Naeve Hospital

$466.19 and disbursements of $450.88, leaving a balance of $15.31, which, on the organization of the present association, was turned over to its treasurer. Among the valuable books secured were 108 volumes of the rebellion records, which with others to the total number of 1/6 volumes were by resolution turned over by Librarian J. C. Ailing to the city school board, to be forever kept for the free use of the people of Albert Lea.

Hospital. Of all the public questions which the people of Albert Lea were called on to meet and solve, without doubt the securing of a properly equipped public hospital has been given the most attention. Such an institution is of first importance in every community, and for thirty years past different individuals tried to meet and solve the problem. In 1877 Dr. J. M. Todd, one of the best-known surgeons in the Northwest, opened a private hospital. Later on Dr. 1 rank Blackmer established a private hospital, as did also Dr. Henrick Nissen. "While in a way these institutions provided for the most pressing needs of the commu¬ nity, none of them proved financially successful, and were aban¬ doned. In 3896 the Albert Lea City Hospital Association was organized, which used the Dr. H. H. Wilcox home for hospital purposes. A short time later all the local physicians, with one or two exceptions, banded together and established a hospital in the building on St. Mary street, in the rear of Dr. J. P. von Berg's home. This did not prove a success, and after a short trial was abandoned. Then for a few years, and up to 1905, Albert Lea was without any hospital facilities, except such as were furnished by the individual doctors. In December, 1905, a meeting of citi¬ zens was called to consider the subject, and at a gathering in the city hall the City and County Hospital Association was organized. A Board of Directors, consisting of Messrs. W. A. Morin, E. W. Knatvold, John IT. Griffin, George P. Lattin, H. C. Carlson, Rev. 0. H. Smeby, L. P. Lawson, Geneva, and H. C. Nelson, Hayward, were selected. The board met later and elected W. A. Morin president, John H. Griffin secretary, and E. W. Knatvold treas¬ urer. A plan was evolved by the board whereby the Dr. IT. IT. Wilcox home would be leased for a term of five years for use as a hospital, provided $5,000 could be raised. It was estimated that $1,000 above the usual income would be needed to operate the hospital. Committees were appointed and $5,000 was raised.

During the first three years of the period for which the lease ran meetings were held and plans talked over for a large modern building, suitable to the needs of Albert Lea. Nothing definite came of this until Charles Soth, on behalf of the Naeve estate, donated to the association the Naeve homestead, valued at $10,000. This was the first tangible asset on which to base a fund to erect a desirable building. Before anything definite was done, however,

The matter rested there until September, 1909, the annual meeting was held and the following Board of Directors elected: Ludvig Kemper, H. C. Hanson, C. L. Luce, E. A\ . Knatvold, Bert Skinner, C. E. Paulson, Martin Blacklin, William Wohlhuter and H. C. Nelson, Hayward. Immediately following this meeting the board held a meeting and elected Ludvig Kemper president, C. L. Luce secretary and E. W. Knatvold treasurer. At this meeting a committee was appointed to devise ways and means to secure $30,000. the amount estimated as needed to erect a modern hos¬ pital. Many plans were considered, and in November, 1910, on the recpiest of the committee, the Business Men's League ap¬ pointed a committee to work with the board in securing the needed funds. A plan was then laid out to have a general cam¬ paign of the county, a day to be set aside, when it was hoped by united effort the money could be secured. It would be impos¬ sible to go into the detail of this campaign, or to mention indi¬ vidually the large number of business men who donated their time and in many instances conveyances to visit a majority of the citizens of the county, but on Tuesday, December 13, 1910, nearly one hundred business men, working two days, secured subscription to the total amount of $21,000, which with the $5,000 already donated by the Soth heirs made a grand total of $26,000.

With this fund subscribed, the Board of Directors of the hospital association appointed the necessary committees to look up plans, etc., and early in April. 1911, a contract for the erec¬ tion of the building was let to Kingsley & Pay ant, of Faribault, Minn., while the contract for the heating, plumbing, etc., was given to P. J. Gallagher, of the same place. The first week in May the corner-stone was laid, and, appreciating the magnificent donations made by the Xaeve and Soth estates, the hospital was christened the Naeve hospital. The work is now rapidly ap¬ proaching completion, and by the first of next January the build¬ ing will be completed, furnished and ready for occupancy. AA hen completed it will cost approximately $40,000. The building is planned along the latest, most scientific lines, absolutely fireproof throughout, three story and basement, built of vitrified brick, with Ivasota stone foundation and trimmings, and frame, floors, stairs, etc., of reinforced concrete. The operating room will be on the third floor, with a large elevator to convey the patients to the different floors. Between thirty and forty patients can be accommodated.

requested Mesdames Ella Truesdell and Alice I. Todd to act as a committee of organization of a Women's Auxiliary. In 1906 the auxiliary was organized, with Mrs. Ella Truesdell president, Mrs. A. Wiegand secretary and Henryetta Armstrong treasurer. During the following years the women composing the auxiliary have been indefatigable in their work, giving an annual charity ball, tag day, and various other schemes to raise money for the cause. By their efforts they have secured a fund of approxi¬ mate^ $2,500, which will be used in furnishing the new building. The present officers of the auxiliary are: President, Mrs. Alice I. Todd; vice president, Mrs. Martin Blacklin; secretary, Mrs. H. A. Spencer; treasurer, Mrs. Albert Meyer.

Albert Lea Business Men's League. This is one of the active organizations of the city, and has had an important part in making Albert Lea the beautiful city and progressive business center it is to-day. Its quarters over the Citizens' National Bank are pleasantly furnished, and fulfil their purpose most admirably. The league has taken an active part in practically all the recent improvements in Albert Lea, and is regarded as the father of the street paving project, the extension of the sewers, and the loca¬ tion here of the state creamery experiment station, the erection of the high school building, and other projects which have been of much advantage to the city. There have been various busi¬ ness organizations and boards of trade in Albert Lea in the past, but the present organization dates from 1906. The present offi¬ cers are: President, D. C. Armstrong; vice president, F. A. Thompson; treasurer, C. E. Paulson; secretary, C. L. Luce!

Cemeteries. Jacob Adrian, the first person to die in Albert Lea, and also Elias Stanton, who died near the shores of Free¬ born lake, were buried near the present site of the Luther Acad¬ emy in Albert Lea, that locality at that time being the part of a school section. Bones believed to be those of Stanton were found in 1911, while excavating for the new building of the Luther Academy. After these burials, interments were made on speculators' land, about a mile due east of the Milwaukee station.

The Albert Lea Cemetery is located west of the city, on a pleasant piece of land, which is well kept and beautified with many monuments. February 20, 1875, after considerable dis¬ cussion, during which the present site of the Albert Lea College was suggested as a suitable location, a piece of land was pur¬ chased from Rev. Isaac W. McReynolds, by a committee of citi¬ zens, the money being furnished by an appropriation from the town treasury: The cemetery was neglected, and in the spring of 1882 the subject of a new cemetery was agitated, and in May a meeting was held to discuss measures. H. D. Brown was called to the chair. The matter was freely talked over, and it was the almost universal feeling and decision of all present that a new cemetery ground should be purchased and the old cemetery abandoned. As to the location, there were various opinions, although the majority seemed to favor a place north of Fountain lake. Others favored a location east of the Rock Island yards The matter was finally relegated to a committee of nine, consist¬ ing of II. D. Brown, chairman; T. II. Armstrong, J. A. Lovely, D. R. P. Ilibbs, AY. P. Sergeant, AY. AY. Johnson, J. AY. Smith and Dr. A. C. AYedge, who were to report to a future meeting of citizens concerning all the matters that pertained to the location of a new cemetery. This agitation resulted in a greatl} improved cemetery, it being finally decided to retain the old site. The cemetery is at present controlled by an association of citizens.

The Itasca Cemetery in the southwest part of section 31, Ban¬ croft township, was platted and laid out as a burial place in 1871. and was controlled by a private company. The cemetery is now practically abandoned, the last burial being ten jears ago. when Henry Lacy, for many years county surveyor, was

Catholic Cemetery. In 1910 the people of St. Theodore's par¬ ish opened a cemetery north of Fountain lake, near the Norwe¬ gian Lutheran cemetery. Previous to that date the interments of the people of that parish had been made principally in the Catholic cemetery located in the southwest corner of section 2, Albert Lea township. Many bodies have been reinterred in the

The Norwegian Lutheran Cemetery is pleasantly located north of Fountain lake. It was purchased by a committee of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church, of Albert Lea, in 1879. and laid out at once. Among the early burials were : Nellie H. Hanson (two years of age), Mrs. G. A. Hauge, Caroline A. Skaug, Endre A. Gulbrandson and Frederick M. Frost. The first committee consisted of 0. R. AA ulfsberg, N. 0. Styve, B. H.

First Telephone. A telephone system was installed in Albert Lea as early as 1881. This was the Bell system, and w as managed bv Chas. N. Farnsworth for some time.