Wakefield Township

Wakefield Township

Wakefield lies in the southeast part of the county, and is bounded on the north by Collegeville, on the east by Rockville, on the south by Luxemburg, and on the west by Munson. It contains an area of 23,040 acres, of which about sixty per cent is under cultivation, and embraces the whole of township 123, range 30. The surface is undulating and in places quite broken. Originally the greater part of the township was covered with brush and poplar groves, with here and there a patch of open prairie. The soil is variable, but chiefly a rich, black loam, very productive, with clay and gravel subsoil. The Sauk river enters the town on section 30, and crosses in an easterly direction, forming an excellent water-power at Cold Spring.

prosperous are the rural residents that very few of the farms are mortgaged. The farmers of the township have on deposit in banks something like $400,000, for which the banks pay five per cent if deposited for a year, and four per cent if deposited for half a year. Farmers readily secure money for six per cent on farm mortgages and seven per cent on notes.

The town is noted for its aquatic advantages. On the Sauk river are two large launches, and in these, trips may be taken to all the lakes near Richmond, as far as Eden Lake.

In the fall of 1852, Ashley C. Riggs, later of Monticello, opened an Indian trading post at this place. He conveyed his goods up the Sauk river from Sauk Rapids, in a batteau. It does not appear, however, that he remained more than one season.

In 1853, William Buchanan, being directed by Gen. Lowry, then residing near St. Cloud, made a claim near the present site of Cold Spring City. He was accompanied by a number of Winnebago Indians, who assisted him in the erection of a log cabin, but only remained a few weeks.

In the spring of 1855, a party of Germans settled in the eastern portion of the town, near the river. Their names and location of claims, as near as can be ascertained, were as follows: Nicholas Jacoby settled on section fourteen; J. Maselter settled on the same section; Nicholas Hansen located on section twelve; John Theis and John Fuchs settled on section fourteen. Nicholas Kirsch made a claim en section thirteen. Of this colony, John Fuchs is still alive, being one of the wellto-do men of the neighborhood. The rest of the party all became substantial men and are now dead, but all left large families, the members of which stand high in the community. In connection with the coming of this colony it may be mentioned that ninety per cent of the population is German-Catholic, sturdy, substantial. Godfearing people. The center and trading point of this community is at Cold Spring.

This town was organized in 1858, and named Springfield, but changed to Wakefield in 1870. The territory first embraced in the town included the present township of Luxemburg, until the organization of the latter in 1866, when Springfield was reduced to the present limits of Wakefield.

The first election was held May 27, 1858, at which the following officers were chosen: Supervisors, Samuel Wakefield (chairman), G. W. Thompson and N. Schindler; assessor, Andrew Schuldeis; justices of the peace, D. B. Sutton and John Schneider; town clerk, Joseph Gibson; constables, V. Chevrefils and S, Turner; and overseer of roads, M. Brixius. None of these gentlemen are now m this vicinity, and all are believed to be dead.

The first school in the township was held in the house of Michael Nibler, on section nine, in 1859, by Frank Kuhn. A log schoolhouse was erected the following year. It was superseded by a frame building, in 1876. Frank Kuhn, the pioneer school teacher, is still living on his farm, three miles northwest of Cold Spring.

Cold Spring

Cold Spring is one of the most thriving and best known among the smaller villages of the Northv/est. It has a population of about 750, and is located on the Great Northern Railway, sixteen miles southwest of St. Cloud. It is situated in the midst of a prosperous farming country, and is well laid out, being modern in every respect. Cement block sidewalks line the streets throughout the village, and there is a continuous day and night electric service from St. Cloud. The vicinity abounds in natural mineral springs, and the two companies that have made the water famous over a wide territory, do a business amounting to some $20,000 a year. The brewery which also uses the spring water, sold some 16,- 000 barrels of beer in 1914. The flour mill which uses the excellent water-power has a daily capacity of 200 barrels. Spring water of the best grade is on tap in every home, from nineteen blocks of water mains, which are supplied from a 50,000- gallon tank, 120 feet high, the water plant being owned by the village. There are also two miles of sewer. The third-class postoffice does a business of some $130 a month, while the opera house, 40 by 100 feet, secured some excellent attractions. The village has a Catholic church, two grain elevators, two hotels, a creamery.

three general stores, two hardware stores, two furniture stores, one meat market, one garage, two blacksmith shops, one wagonmaker, one wholesale wine house, and two cement block manufacturers. A weekly newspaper, the Record, is published. The village is becoming more and more popular as a summer resort, its genial people, its splendid water, its beautiful scenery, its river and near-by lakes, its hunting and fishing, all making it a most attractive place to spend the summer. The principal shipments from this point are grain, flour, butter, beer, mineral waters, wood and live stock.

A brief business directory follows: J. H. Kray, postmaster; Frank Ash, railway agent; Central Hotel. Frank Weisner, proprietor; Cold Spring Brewing Co., John Oster, president and general manager, Eugene Hermanutz, vice-president, Ferdinand Peters, secretary and treasurer; Cold Spring Commercial Club, Harry E. Sutton, president; Cold Spring Garage Co., Oster & Pflepsen; Cold Spring Mineral Water Co., John Oster, president and general manager, Eugene Hermanutz, vicepresident, Ferdinand Peters, secretary and treasurer; Cold Spring Navigation Co., Fred Peters, manager; Cold Spring Recorder, Peter T. Honer, publisher; Cold Spring Stock Farm, Cold Spring Brewing Co., proprietors; Cold Spring Water Works, Chris. Dries. manager; Michael Ellenbecker, saloon; Farmers' Milling Co., Philip H. Kray, president, mill and elevator ; First National Bank, capital $25,000, Anton Muggli, president, F. V. Stein, cashier; Chas. Gilley, livery; Jno. Gilley, auctioneer; Peter Goering, furniture; Chas. Kelso, billiard and pool; Jos. H. Kray, insurance agent; Ignatius Kremer, cigar manufacturer; Mathias F. Kummer, insurance agent; Michael Kummer, general store; Maurin Elevator, estate of Marcus Maurin, proprietors; Maurin Lumber Yard; Maurin Marcus estate, Mary and Peter P.. Maurin, Rose O. Peters, executors, general store; Maurin Opera House, estate of Marcus Maurin, proprietors; Merchant Hotel, Otto Wolf, proprietor; Metropolitan- Barber Shop, Paul O. Teisen, proprietor; Frank Meyer, barber; Northwestern Telephone Co., Richard C. Trudgen, manager; Anton Oster, saloon; Anton P. Oster, harness; Oster & Peters (Jno. Oster, Fred Peters),

John Batice Arcenault and Samuel Wakefield made claims on the present site of Cold Spring City in 1856. Mr. Arcenault seems to have included the greater portion of the townsite in his claim; he built the first house within the present limits of the village, it being located on the creek, about eighty rods from the river.

In the fall of 1856, Z. Gordon, Joseph Gibson, Seth Turner, and a Mr. Strout, purchased the greater portion of Mr. Arcenault's claim and had this village surveyed and platted. They began the improvement of the water power, and built a saw mill during the winter of 1856-57.

In 1862, John Fumade started a small store, and the following year. Turner and Buss also opened a general store. They were followed by the Maurin Brothers in 1863, who opened a mercantile establishment. Soon after coming here, they purchased the water-power, but disposed of it in 1865, to Thompson, Clarke, and Waite, who erected a flouring mill, which was burned after operating a little over a year. It was rebuilt in 1868, by Clarke and Waite, but the latter purchased the property in 1870. A brewery was opened in 1874 or 1875 by Mich. Sargel. The brewery now ranks as twelfth in the state.

The surface is generally a rolling prairie, with numerous tracts of marsh, or "hay sloughs," in which appear a large number of boulders. The soil is composed of a rich black loam with a clay subsoil and is very productive,. The town has long been noted for its fine and well-bred horses. Of late years much attention is also being paid to stock raising and dairying. Many kinds of cereals and grasses, native and tame, and numerous varieties of root crop flourish. The town is finely adapted to agriculture and is under a high state of cultivation. The people are principally of German origin, highly industrious and very prosperous in their agricultural pursuits.

Michael F. Plantikow was the first settler in the town of Zion. He arrived here with his family from the State of Wisconsin in the year 1860 and homesteaded the south half of the south half of section 32. The family consisted of Michael F. Plantikow and Louise Plantikow, his wife, and the children, Frank, Herman, Minnie and Augusta.

In 1863 Frederick Moede came here from Wisconsin and homesteaded the north half of the southwest quarter of section 28 and the north half of the southeast quarter of section 29.

In the year 1864 the first colony arrived here from Monroe, Green county, Wisconsin, consisting of the families of the following: Michael Nehring, David Moede, Gottlieb Weber, Gottfried Heitke and Christian Wendlandt. This colony left Monroe, Green county, Wisconsin, in the early part of May, 1864, and arrived here the middle of June the same year, coming across the country in ox teams via Prairie du Chien, Wis., Decorah, Iowa, and Preston, Rochester, Zumbrota, Ft. Snelling, Minneapolis and St. Cloud, Minn.

The Nehring family consisted of Michael Nehring and Louise Nehring, his wife, and their children, Ferdinand, William and Frank. They homesteaded the west half of the northeast quarter and east half of the northwest quarter of section 32. The Moede family consisted of David Moede and Marie Moede, his wife, and two sons, Frederick and Herman. Frederick had arrived here the previous year. David Moede homesteaded the north half of the northwest quarter of section 33. The Weber family consisted of Gottlieb Weber and wife and their five children, August, John, William, Minnie and Henrietta. Gottlieb Weber homesteaded the northeast quarter of section 31. The Heitke family consisted of Gottfried Heitke and Sophia Heitke, his wife, and five children, Frederick, Frank, Paulina, Augusta and Emelia. Gottfried Heitke homesteaded the north half of the northeast quarter of section 28. The Christian Wendlandt family consisted of Christian Wendlandt and wife and four children, John, Frederick, August and William. They located on the south half of the northwest quarter of section 28.

Immediately upon their arrival these people located upon their respective claims, which had previously been selected for them by Michael F. Plantikow, and Frederick Moede and commenced building their log cabins and the organization of their permanent homes.

In 1865 the first log schoolhouse was built on the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 29, now school district 45. The present schoolhouse was built in 1886.

On the third day of September, 1867, the town of Zion was organized and the first election of officers was held on the twenty-first day of September the same year. The first officers elected were: Frederick Moede (chairman) and Edward Miller and Peter Weyer, supervisors; Hubert B. Meyer, town clerk and Julius Behr, justice of the peace. The first annual town meeting was held at Ludwig Koepp's place in section 21 on the seventh day of April, 1868. Previous to its organization the town was a part of Verdale.

The first child born in the town was Augusta Plantikow, now Mrs. Julius Nehring. She was born Oct. 20, 1860. The first death was that of Mrs. Hanna L. Nehring, who died in 1869. She was the first person to be buried in Salem's cemetery, the only cemetery in the township.

Salem Congregation of the Evangelical Association. - In the year 1861, Rev,. Conrad Lahr of Monroe. Wisconsin, a missionary of the Evangelical Association, first preached in the town of Zion. On Oct. 31, 1870, the Salem Congregation of the Evangelical Association was incorporated. The first church edifice was built in 1871 on the northwest quarter of section 28 and the present edifice in 1897.

Some of the charter members of the society were: M. F. Plantikow, Frederick Moede, David Moede, Michael Nehring, Gottfried Heitke, Gottlieb Weber, William Arndt, Samuel Nehring, M. F. Gess, L. Koepp, William Zable, Frederick Miller and August Sack. The first trustees were M. F. Gess, M. F. Plantikow, August Sack, Samuel Nehring and Frederick Moede.

The Salem Society has sent forth six ministers of the Gospel who have been and most of them still are actively engaged in the Minnesota Conference of the Evangelical Association. The names are as follows: Rev. Frederick Moede, Rev. F. R. Plantikow, Rev. H. Plantikow, Rev. August Reeck, Rev. F. F. Arndt and Rev. A. Zable.

The society has been served by the following ministers: Rev. C. Lakr, Rev. A. Nierens, Rev. C. Brill, Rev. L. Van Wald, Rev. August Knebel, Rev. A. Welch, Rev.

In the year 1911 commencing on Oct. 30 the fifth anniversary of the organization of the Salem's congregation was celebrated in the Salem church. Among the principal speakers on the jubilee program were: Rev. A. H. Utzinger, Rev. H. Plantikow, Rev. F. R. Plantikow, Rev. J. M. Baitinger, Rev. J,. Gongoll, Rev. J. Manthey, Rev. C.

F. Sydow, Rev. C. W. Sydow, Rev. H. Isker, Rev. J. Graeben, Rev. F. M. Tesch, Rev. A. Zable, Rev. A. Reeck, Rev. F. F. Arndt and Rev. W. Sack. The music was furnished by the Salem male choir and the Salem concert band.

The members of the male choir were Wm. C. Miller, Robert Weber, W. H. Weber, John Weber, Gustav Moede, Emil Krupke, Gustav Weber and Fred C. Nehring

In June, 1908, the Salem concert band was organized, the charter members were as follows: Fred C. Nehring, Marvin D. Nehring, Robert Nehring, Clarence Nehring, Robert Weber, Gustav Weber, Emil Weber, Albert Weber, W. H. Weber, John Weber, Robert Runger, Edwin Manz, Rubin Theel, Frank Behr, Charley

Roscoe, with a population of 300, is located on the Great Northern Railway six miles east of Paynesville. It has a Catholic Church, a bank, a hotel, and a creamery.

J. M. Weis, postmaster; Michael Bock, railroad agent; Mathew Britz, furniture; Cargill Elevator Co., Michael Willenbring, agent; First State Bank of Roscoe, capital $10,000, Anton Muggli, president; Peter Roeder, cashier; Nicholas L. Kilian, general store; Lucas Kruse, harness; Clement Kost, general store; Anton J. Roelike, blacksmith; Roscoe Creamery Co., Adolph Knebel, secretary; Thos. Sauer, lumber; Jos. P. Schmitz, hardware; Weis Bros., general store. The postoffice at this point is known as Zion's.

Sauk Rapids

While located in another county, Sauk Rapids and St. Cloud are so near neighbors - the corporate limits of the one touching the corporate limits of the other - and they hold so many interests in common, that a history of Stearns county would scarcely be complete without something regarding this flourishing village, which was a place of importance before St. Cloud had been heard of or Stearns county organized. The following comprehensive sketch is from the pen of W. H. Fletcher, one of the pioneers and prominent citizens of the village and for a number of years a member of the the board of county commissioners.

The town of Sauk Rapids was organized and platted as a townsite in 1854. Organized as a village in 1881, taking in the territory now known as East St. Cloud. This organization was dissolved in 1888 and the village was reorganized under the present system in 1889.

A combined steam saw and fiour mill or gristmill as it was known in those days, v/as built on the river at the head of the rapids about the year 1855 by a Mr. Webb. That mill was never a paying proposition as there was but little grain raised in the country at that time and but a small local demand for lumber.

The first Protestant church was built about 1855 under the direction of Rev. Sherman Hall, who remained pastor of this church until his death in 1879. This church was built with lumber sawed at the old mission on Gull river and rafted down the Mississippi river. The church was torn down in 1894 and the old lumber used in constructing the dwelling house on Cliff street owned by Mrs. Wm. Welk.

A large Catholic church, constructed of logs, was built under the direction of Rev. Father Pierz in 1854, on the site now occupied by the German Lutheran church. This building was torn down and removed in 1866.

The first term of court for Benton county was held by Judge Aaron Goodrich at the house of Jeremiah Russell, June 11, 1850, and history states that no business of importance was transacted.

Sauk Rapids was the county seat of Benton county from the organization of the county down to 1901, with the possible exception of a few months in the early fifties, at which time tradition locates the seat of justice at Watab, although the existing official records are silent as to the time and manner of removal to and from that point. Mention is made, however, of a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners at that place, and there are those still living who can attest to the fact that a building was there erected for and used as a court house.

Our late neighbor, Philip Beaupre and H. B. Smart, who died at the residence of his son in the town of Langola, were both members of the first board of commissioners.

Previous to 1867 the county offices were located in various rooms in the town of Sauk Rapids, usually in the second story of a store building or dwelling.

The first county building erected in Sauk Rapids was built by David Burnham, contractor, for the sum of $1,100. This was a one-story structure consisting of two rooms and a brick vault. The building is still standing, being located on a corner across the street from the German Lutheran church. It was occupied for county oflfices until 1880, when a more commodious structure was erected three blocks south. Jeremiah Russell, Col. J. B. Hoit, B. H.

Taylor Dudley, Henry McMahan, B. K. Knowlton, Col. S. C. Hays, J. Q. A. Wood, John Renard and Wayland Miller each served as register of deeds. Of the fifteen officers named but two are now living.

A bridge was built across the river at Sauk Rapids in 1878, under the direction of the county commissioners. Two spans of this bridge went down in an electric storm the morning of July, 1879. The bridge was rebuilt in 1880 and three spans again went down in the cyclone of April 14, 1886. It was again rebuilt in 1887 and stood without further accident until 1898, when a short span at the west end was washed out. The bridge remained closed for two years, no attempt being made to repair it until 1900, when the entire superstructure was torn down and replaced with a new structure which is still standing, although badly in need of repair which will, however, soon be made, as the material for repairs has been shipped and is expected to arrive within the present month.

The St. Paul and Pacific railroad, now the Great Northern, was extended to Sauk Rapids in 1867 and this was the terminus of the road for several years. When this road was graded it was the intention of its promoters to cross the Mississippi river at a point near the Normal school and in fact the grade was constructed, and traces of it may still be seen to approach the river at a point opposite the Normal school on a long curve from the present road bed just above the Reformatory.

The promoters of the road being unable to make satisfactory arrangements with the people of St. Cloud as to right of way, bonus, they approached the people of Sauk Rapids, were received with open arms, and a promise of free right of way with a bonus of several hundred town lots, some acre lands adjoining the town site and an absolute title to the water power, it being understood that the company would in addition to extending the road to Sauk Rapids, make certain improvements on the water power. Under this arrangement the road was immediately extended to Sauk Rapids and the following year, 1868, work was commenced on the water power and the company succeeded after the expenditure of $100,000, under adverse conditions, in throwing a crude sort of dam across the river, the ruins of which may still be ^een.

The work was under the direct supervision of F. R. Delano, who also was superintendent of the St. Paul and Pacific railroad. He was a man of commanding presence and of strict integrity and made a prominent and well known figure in the northwest at that time.

Such was the faith of the people of Sauk Rapids in the ability of Mr. Delano to build a city that a strong upward tendency in the price of town lots was a noticeable feature following his periodical visits. But alas, for the futile works of men, this improvement like many others throughout the northwest at that time was far in advance of the demands and needs of the country and but one mill was ever built en the waterpower, a small flouring mill built by the Northwestern Produce company and owned and operated by J. A. Stonon, and was destroyed by the cyclone in 1886.

As this is the anniversary of the destructive cyclone which visited Sauk Rapids April 14, 1886, destroying a large part of the village, including the courthouse and schoolhouse with an actual loss of forty-four lives within the village and upwards of seventy within the limits of the storm, it is perhaps fitting to explain why school was not in session at that time.

In the year 1884 it was found the expense of keeping up a nine months' school was greater than the resources of the district would permit. The indebtedness of the district was being increased from year to year with no visible means of paying it. Therefore it was decided by the school board to cut the school term down to seven months. While there was considerable opposition to this action on the part of the board, the movement was carried. As a result school closed for this year on April 9, five days before the destruction of the schoolhouse and what seemed a misfortune at the time really proved to be a blessing in disguise as the loss of life, had school been in session on the fourteenth, must have been appalling.

The corps of teachers for that year consisted of Prof. M. R. Trace, principal; Susie Denton, first intermediate; Lucy Hammond, first primary; Jennie McConnell, second primary.

The graduating exercises took place in the skating rink on the evening of April ninth and the exercises opened with a fine selection by the Sauk Rapids Musical club.

The first Fourth of July celebration in this part of Minnesota was held at Sauk Rapids in 1855. There was for those early days a large attendance of people, with the usual firing of guns, waving of flags, and patriotic speeches. The good women of Sauk Rapids, it is said, and no doubt truly, ministered generously to the wants of the people in the way of edibles.

In that same year C. A. Oilman advertised in the Frontierman his land office, where land warrants were bought and sold, and "gold for sale" was a further item.

Another land agency at this time was that of Hamlin & Lancaster (E. O.. Hamlin, attorney, and R. D. Lancaster, surveyor and civil engineer), who besides the usual transactions of such an agency, also advertised "gold for sale."

C. B. Van Nest, the postmaster of 1856, gave published notice that the mails at that office would close regularly Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8 p. m., and that "no letters would be mailed after that hour."

The marriage of Mrs. Mary E. Johnson to J. Q. A. Wood, of Sauk Rapids, was solemnized January 22, 1857, at Owensboro, Ky., the home of the bride.

Particulars are giving of the taking of the steamboat North Star over the rapids May 3, 1858, but one day's work being required. Its name changed to the Anson Northrop, this steamboat made a trip in June from Crow Wing to Pokegama Falls, getting within two miles of the falls. About sixty persons were taken on the trip of 150 miles, which occupied 11 days. As early as September, 1856, it was said by the St. Paul papers, that the owners of the H. M. Rice, another steamboat plying between St. Anthony Falls and St. Cloud, had "discussed the advisability of putting the boat on the trade above Crow Wing,

Grace Episcopal church has a relic as well as a history. So far as can be learned, as the records of the church were all destroyed, the first Episcopal service ever held in Sauk Rapids was in 1852, when the Rev. James Lloyd Breck and his associates on their way to Gull lake on an Indian missionary tour stopped at Sauk Rapids and conducted the first Episcopal service held in the country north of St. Anthony Falls, celebrating the holy communion at the same time. There were then a number of Episcopalians in the little frontier town and gathering together they secured for a time the services of the Rev. Jacob S. Carpenter, then rector of Holy Trinity church at St. Anthony Falls, who made monthly visits. In 1856 the congregation was organized by Dr. Breck, who was then on his way back to civilization. The church was organized April 12, 1856, the cornerstone laid August 20, and the building consecrated May 11, 1858. It has the distinction of being the only church north of St. Paul which was consecrated by Bishop Jackson Kemper, the missionary bishop of the Episcopal church, whose diocese was perhaps larger than that of any other bishop in the history of the church, including all the territory west and north of the Ohio river.

The relic is a silver alms plate, which is not only older than the congregation, which is the oldest of its denomination in the country north of Minneapolis, but is one of the few articles saved when the church was destroyed by the cyclone in 1886. It was picked up, bent and dented, in a swamp near Royalton, and passed into the hands of a Minneapolis man, being later restored to the Sauk Rapids congregation through the influence of Bishop Whipple. No efforts have been made to remove from it the scars received during the cyclone. In his travels through the state Bishop Whipple carried this alms plate with him and after telling the fate of Grace church would pass the battered plate for contributions for the rebuilding of the church, by which means he raised over $2,000, or nearly enough to pay for the new edifice. In addition to the alms plate Grace church has the bell which was on the building at the time of the cyclone, and which was restored intact.

This village enjoys the distinction of having the only private residence in the state of Minnesota made of quarried granite. It was built for J. A. Stanton, from granite quarried by Robinson & Son after they had taken out from a quarry opened at Sauk Rapids the stone for the City Hall building in Minneapolis and a bank in Milwaukee.

In a chapter of reminiscences published in the St. Cloud Journal-Press of March 29, 1902, the late Henry C. Waite gave the following sketch of one of Sauk Rapids' early day structures: "Near where Mr. Russell lived was a little log one-story building in which the register of deeds and clerk of the district court in the person of Taylor Dudley, a Kentuckian, had his office. The early records of Benton county are mostly in his handwriting. It is not many years since he returned to his old home in the south and I have understood that he has since died. In this little log building the United States territorial courts were held, as were those of lesser jurisdiction. In it was the sheriff's ofl^ce, and in fact the administrative affairs of the whole upper country were transacted there. Stearns county had no existence in those days. This primitive court house was the scene of much litigation in the early times. It was here that offenders against the laws regulating the liquor traffic with the Indians were tried and if found guilty convicted. Notable attorneys from St. Paul and Dubuque vied with each other in the trial of criminal cases. This evidence of frontier civilization has long since disappeared and most of the actors with it, but there is no building standing in this upper country today which signifies as much to history as did this one-story log building."

Mr. Waite, himself the first lawyer to locate at St. Cloud, says that Wm. H. Wood, of Sauk Rapids, was the first lawyer who located in the upper country, above St. Paul and St. Anthony Falls. As Mr. Wood came to Sauk Rapids in the spring of 1853 to accept the position of receiver of the United States land office to which he had been appointed, this statement is doubtless correct.

Helena Piergolla, of Sauk Rapids, won the honor December 4, 1914, of being the best breadmaker among over 1,600 contestants in Minnesota, her percentage be- ing 91.2. The contest had been carried on by the agricultural extension division of the University of Minnesota during the previous eight months. Miss Fiergolla received a free trip to Washington City, a cash price of $25 and a fifth share in the class prize of $25. Another Sauk Rapids young girl in Class A, Miss Vera McCrea, vas also a prize-winner, her percentage being 88.. There were two classes, A and B, the former including all girls attending graded, consolidated or high schools; Class li all girls attending rural schools not having had special instruction in this work. Ey the rules of the contest each girl baked bread at home or at school at least six times, and on November 16 or 17 baked and forwarded to the extension division one leaf as her final exhibit, and in addition sent a story of approximately 500 words on "How I Learned to Bake My Loaf of Bread." The judges made their deciison on points as follows: Home bread making, 30 points; public demonstration, 30 points; sample loaf, 20 points, story of the work, 20 points.

Benton county had two more prize winners in this class, Lena Bangerter, with a percentage of 88.6, and Anna Raasch, whose percentage was 87.8 - Benton county capturing four out of the thirteen prizes taken by the entire class, which was certainly a very handsome showing.

The first prize in Class B was won by Mildred Lofgren of Ulen, her percentage being 89.4. The members of the Sauk Rapids first prize class A winning club were Helena Fiergolla, Edris Coburn, Vera McCrea, Frances Hales, Signe Skoog and Urena Orcutt. The standing of the Sauk Rapids winning club was 88.

Lake Henry. - Michael Weidner, chair man, Math. Lieser, Jacob Kraemer, super visors. Martin Fuchs, treasurer. Server Brick, clerk. Paul Fuchs, assessor.

Luxemburg. - Val Walz, chairman, Nic K. Stein (both held over), John B. Binsfeld, supervisors. Wm. Hommerding, treasurer. F. Wirtzfeld, clerk.

Millwood. - Allie Coe, chairman, Henry Eiynck, Henry Herzog, supervisors. Aug. Wirchmann, treasurer. Henry Stoetzel, clerk. Herm. Ricker, assessor (held over).

Munson. - Math. Rolling, chairman, G. H. Rolfer, Frank Fienhage (latter tvi^o held over), supervisors. Gerh. Braegelmann, treasurer. P. P. Ruegemer, clerk. Val. Becker (held over), assessor.

Raymond. - Joseph Ebensteiner, chairman, Frank Esler, Carl Kraft, supervisors. John M. Mayer, treasurer. George Rooney, clerk. James D. Rooney (elected in 1913), assessor.

Village Officers

Belgrade. - C. M. Iverslie, president, J. O. Gullander, Henry M. Wohlleb, P. A. Anderson, trustees. M. A. Mikkelson, treasurer. Ole Hendrickson, recorder. For license, 52; against license, .51. For paying road taxes in money, 89. Against paying road taxes in money, 7.

Eden Valley. - R. W. Hynemann, president, Frank Marx, James Brandley, Frank Rolfes, trustees. Nick Stoffel, treasurer. W. R. Salisbury, recorder. John Mclnter, justice of the peace. O. P. Thurman, constable.

Waite Park.^ - P. F. Meinz, president, A. H. Burlon, H. H. Wilkes, P. P.. Theisen, trustees. S.. F. Stelzig, treasurer. W. C. Schiel, recorder. L. L. Bowers, assessor. Herbert Wire, justice of the peace. Henry Haack, constable.