26 years ago PRESCOTT JOURNAL

Feb. 11, 1996 Advisory committee recommends police move into library public meeting rooms By R.E. Herman In a joint meeting of the Prescott Police Commission and the Citizen’s Advisory Committee held Feb. 7 the group decided to recommend that the city acquire the Mississippi and St. Croix rooms from the Prescott Public Library for use by the police and public works department as soon as possible.

The minutes of the meeting of these two bodies stated: “The space is under-utilized and could be remodeled at a low cost compared to moving. This solution would not deplete the tax base and would handle our needs for seven-plus years. The consensus was that with the high expenditures of the last few years, the cost of the downtown project and the surprise need for a new water tower/well, the citizens would rather share the Library space than increase the already high tax rate.”

The group had previously voted to recommend that the city not acquire the John Deere building because the property was overvalued, would need extensive remodeling and that the costs of running city sewer would be too great due to the amount of rock in the area.

One of those present at that meeting, Diane House, who is also a city council member, later explained that the group saw this as a possible solution to a very difficult situation, even if the city were required to pay back all or some of the grant money given to the library.

Such a repayment may not be necessary because, according to the Librarian Julie Green, the grant contained a stipulation that there be a community room that was available for public use.

Green also noted that such an action could jeopardize the chances of the city receiving any similar grants in the future.

“I certainly understand the need for police department space,” said Green. “But it would certainly cut off any possible expansion of the library.”

The matter has not yet been discussed by the library board, but is likely to appear on the agenda of the next board meeting scheduled for Feb. 20.

Mayor Jim Richman felt that it was doubtful that the city would be required to pay back the entire $129,000 grant, but he was unsure as to other actions that might occur if the city were to follow the recommendation.

“There’s nothing clear cut as to what would be required,” said Richman. “I suspect that we would not have to pay anything, but we would probably never get another grant.”

Richman acknowledged that the library has some space needs such as an archival room, but felt that such an addition would be considered in the future.

Richman suggested the possibility of another move within the city building; having the police department take over the council chambers and moving the chambers to the Mississippi and St. Croix rooms.

In any event, he felt that moving within the existing building should be able to provide space for the next five to eight years, buying time for the city to make allowances for the next stage of development.

The issue of moving within city hall is tentatively scheduled to be considered at the next city council meeting on Feb. 26.

40 years ago PRESCOTT JOURNAL

Feb. 18, 1982 $2 million condo unit will overlook Mississippi River Details of property transfer and finance are still being worked out, but Carver L. Baker, Prescott, is hopeful that Marine Terrace Gardens, 1089 Monroe St., Prescott, will become a reality later this year. Preliminary plans for the $2 million condominium unit were shown at the last meeting of the Prescott planning commission, which will review the plans on Monday, March 1 at the regular monthly meeting.

Statistics show uptick in accidents on Pierce County roadways 55 years ago PIERCE COUNTY JOURNAL Feb. 16, 1967 Couple weds at 78 years of age by acting county judge John G. Bartholomew. Newlyweds are named Mollie Lund and Ernest Baumgartner.

Mrs. Lloyd Armstong of Spring Valley dies Saturday after long illness.

Births to Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Nelson of Ellsworth, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. McRoberts of Hager City, Mr. and Mrs. James Matzek of Prescott, Mr. and Mrs. Larry McGrath of Lawton, and Mr. and Mrs. James Growth.Li ndgren School on Highway 63 ransacked, school cancelled for a consequence. Entry gained by breaking out a window and glass in a rear door of the building.

70 years ago THE RIVER FALLS JOURNAL Feb. 14, 1952 Death notice and a memorial: Jacob Hauth, age 79, passes away suddenly on Feb. 12. Service is at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church with burial in the church cemetery “south of the city.”

Albert Loida, Sr. is memorialized by his sons and daughters, having passed away Feb. 11, 1949.

85 years ago ELLSWORTH RECORD Feb. 25, 1937 Brief summaries: Prescott defeats Ellsworth 27 – 22. “The game was almost a duplicate of the one played here by the two teams last week, when Ellsworth after trailing 17 to 7 at the half came back strong to win, 24 to 23.”

Officer W. J. Buckner says that snow balling has become a nuisance on the West End and that there is an ordinance against it.

Harold Nilssen, owner of Nilssen Pharmacy, sells 115 fountain pens over two days. A record is established.

Beide Lawrence, formerly of Hartland, dies at Spooner of pneumonia. He is 60 years of age.

In response to complaints by South Carolina and Georgia on printing a stamp with the likenesses of General Sherman, Sheridan, and Grant, the postal department gives “similar mention to an equal number of southern patriots.”

160 years ago THE PRESCOTT JOURNAL Feb. 12, 1862 MARRIED at the residence of the bride, in River Falls, Wis., Feb. 6, 1862, by the Rev. Mr. Forbes, Jerry S. Wess, and Miss Abby J. Read, all of River Falls.

Brief summaries: Ordinance passed to construct sidewalks on Broad Street, Kinnickinnic Street, Front Street, and Orange Street, in the City of Prescott) Barley substituted for coffee on account of high prices for the latter.

A fight continues on whether to move the county seat back to Prescott from Perry, where it had been convened at the geographic center, then “a place in the woods.” High building costs and other matters are covered, along with tax questions.

A father notifies creditors that any debts his son contracts after 21 years of age are the sole responsibility of the son.

Carl Schurz, ex-minister to Spain, is reported to be at Prescott House, from whence he departs for Washington.

DIED at his residence in River Falls, Wis., Friday, Feb. 7, 1862, of consumption. Nathanial N. Powell, aged 34 years and 9 months.

The deceased was one of the first pioneers in the northwest. He removed from his native place, Madrid, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., to St. Anthony Falls, Minn., in 1849, where he resided about a year. In the fall of 1850 he located on the Kinnickinnic, where now stands the village of River Falls. From the time of his first settlement there, he was untired in his efforts to build up and contribute to the wealth of the county. To his great business ability and integrity is owning, in great measure, the present prosperity of the village where he lived.

The early death of Mr. Powell may justly be regarded as a public calamity. As a business man, he possessed the most undoubted integrity, as a citizen, his character was above reproach; and as a Christian, his life was consistent and blameless. His daily life attested his many virtues. He was a bright example of moral rectitude and Christian piety. Truly, a noble life is ended—a Christian light has gone out—a good man has fallen. Almost any man in the community could have been more easily spared. In his energy as a businessman, his life as a citizen, and his example as a Christian, the world, the community, and the Church have suffered an irreparable loss. A devoted wife and two small children, along with a large circle of relatives, are in deep grief.

A community is in mourning. As we weave the cypress for the bier of the departed, and pay this final tribute to the deceased, let us forget his few errors, and emulate his many virtues. The cup of life is drained, the golden bowl is broken. Our friend has “gone to his reward,” in the full flush of life and the pride of manhood. “Heaven is his home.”