10 Years Ago Prescott Journal February 24, 2011

Remembering Abraham Lincoln (photo) Prescott resident Ken Roen portrayed Abraham Lincoln during a presentation at the Freedom Park Great River Road Visitor & Learning Center Sunday, Feb. 20. Roen is pictured here with Prescott 4-H Club members who got a history lesson as part of the club’s History & Heritage projects. Pictured from left to right are Anika Nordwall, Catherine Stewart and Mariah Stewart. Photo by Kimberly Adams.

River Report Normal (ft. above sea level) 675.60 2/15/11 – 676.04 2/16/11 – 675.97 2/17/11 – 675.73 2/18/11 – 675.81 2/19/11 – 675.82 2/20/11 – 675.79 2/21/11 – 676.13 Compiled by Lock & Dam No. 2 Hastings, MN Portable Classroom concerns discussed by Prescott School Board by Kimberly Adams Concerns and problems have arose with regards to the portable classrooms at Malone Elementary School, were addressed at the Prescott School Board meeting February 16.

“We had considerable problems setting them up and getting them installed,” Superintendent Roger Hulne reported to school board members.

Although the structures have passed state and local inspections, district staff noted, the buildings on the Malone grounds will have to be re-leveled. Mike Hoikka, School District Buildings and Grounds Supervisor said he hopes to get Mod Space, the company that provided the portable classrooms, in to level the building as soon as school is out for the summer in June (story continues).

55 Years Ago PIERCE COUNTY HERALD March 3, 1966

Co. Clerk Gary McMahon Tells County Board What’s Wrong With Their “Ancient” Methods; Resigns as of May 1st (photo with story) In an interview with an Eau Claire Leader reporter Friday, McMahon attributed his decision to a matter of principle, that the pace of progress in county govt. is too slow, rather than any clash of personalities. “These are all fine people I’ve been working with,” he said.

(Stated reasons in two-page letter): 1. The county board is out of date.

2. The county board has failed to handle salaries for county employees in a realistic manner.

3. The thinking of the county board members is far removed from the mainstream of current thinking and from his own.

The county board is still in the Victorian era, while McMahon feels this is the “computer age.”

…Co. Clerk McMahon cited the redistricting of the county as an example of poor logic in county operation.

“It appeared to be an attitude of save my job if I can rather than a logical plan, he said. McMahon had openly favored the 15-man county board, whereas the board voted the maximum 21-man board. The 15-man board did not split districts as does the 21…McMahon had been studying the possibilities of placing the county records on a computer-type operation basis for several months. Whether this will materialize now is a question.

70 Years Ago RIVER FALLS JOURNAL

with which has been consolidated the River Falls Times and River Falls Sentinel March 1, 1951 River Falls Will Offer A. B. Degree Board of Regents Action Assures Expanded Program River Falls State Teachers College will offer a four-year liberal arts course beginning next fall.

85 Years Ago ELLSWORTH RECORD March 5, 1936 VOLUME XXXXIII NUMBER 10

Pioneer Lady Passes Away Mrs. S. P. Roatch, Resident of this Community for nearly Seventy Years, Dies at Home Here Monday.—Funeral at Clayfield Today.

Details: born in Scotland in 1860 to Mr. and Mrs. James Conroy (deceased). Came to America as a small child and settled in Hartland township of Pierce County. Married S. P. Roatch October 12, 1877. Moved to Ellsworth from Hartland seven years prior. Interment in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery at Clayfield.

Survived by husband and five children: Mrs. George Mumford, Red Wing; John Roatch, Salem; Francis and Thomas Roatch, and Mrs. Henry Hareman? “of this village.” Also survived by a sister, Mrs. Wesley Kinne of Medford, Oregon.

100 Years Ago PRESCOTT TRIBUNE March 3, 1921

At The Theaters (before sound in films!) Sunday, March 6th “Children of Destiny,” the spectacular Republic Picture, was written by Sydney Rosenfeld and directed by George Irving.

In this new picture Edith Hallor, the star, departs from the common place by playing three roles. She is first seen as a young mother, next as an aged mother, and finally as the young daughter.

115 Years Ago THE RIVER FALLS JOURNAL March 1, 1906

Neighborhood News.

DIAMOND BLUFF Mrs. Martha Quimby is still quite ill.

The members of the F. B. church, with a few friends, met at the home of Edwin Niles Monday night to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the church organization. Only one member of the original five is still alive and was there—Mrs. E. A. Wethern, who is now 78 years old. There were songs, Scripture reading and prayer, then testimonies and a review of the 50 years of the church’s existence. After this Mrs. Niles served a lunch and the guests departed, having spent a pleasant evening, and hopeful for the future of the church.

ONO Mr. and Mrs. Henry Collet drove to Plum City Friday.

FARGO The recent thaw has spoiled the roads so is it neither good wheeling nor sleighing; therefore wood hauling is out of the question. BRASINGTON.

Mrs. Annie Raetheke is quite sick.

There was a surprise party on Will Branagan Friday. All enjoyed a good time.

PLEASANT CORNERS.

Bert Mealy, who has been very sick, is improving.

Milton Straud is visiting at the home of Charlie Borst.

Born, to Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Mealey, Feb. 24, a daughter.

DONEGAL Van Adams made a business trip to Beldenville Tuesday.

NEW CENTERVILLE Logs are still coming into the mill yard.

B. R. Wood intended to build a butcher shop this spring.

Gilbert Bowen of Wilson called on his parents last week.

Good sleighing is past for this winter as the roads look now.

OLIVET Mrs. Ed. Granseth is visiting friends in town.

Maurice Mulheron has moved his well drilling outfit to Wilson.

130 Years Ago PIERCE COUNTY HERALD March 4, 1891

Before modern paving: A letter from Hot Springs, Arkansas!

…The main street is an elongated mud-hole (most as bad as the main street in Ellsworth). The street cars are not run by electricity, but by little rabbit-sized mules that crawl along like oxen. Our old Gent here, made the remark that they had made a lot of improvements on the street car track this year for they had put in switches. I asked how the cars passed. “Pull of the track and go around,” was his answer, in a tone that allowed of no more questioning….To sum up, Hot Springs is a mighty good place for unfortunates who have blood diseases, a fair rheumatic resort, and a sure cure for cold feet.. Non-afflicted mortals better stay at home and save their money.

L. G. SPINNET.

145 Years Ago THE RIVER FALLS PRESS March 2, 1876 Please Read This.

Being about $4,000 out of pocket by the late fire, I am particularly “hard up” at this time, even for a Hardware man, and would like to have those who are indebted to me on book account, pay me as much as possible, as soon as they conveniently can.

S. D. Dodge, River Falls, Feb’y 10th, 1876.

Notice.

In pursuance of a resolution adopted by the County Board of Supervisors of Pierce County, to sell the Poor Farm, we, the undersigned committee, appointed by said board for that purpose, do hereby offer said farm for sale. Land is described as follows, to-wit: S ½ of NW ¼ , N ½ of SW ¼ , and SW ¼ of SW ¼ , all in Section Seven (7), in Township No. Twentysix (26), North of Range No. Seventeen, (17) West, In Pierce County, WI, containing 200 acres of land, of which 160 acres is covered with heavy timber, 40 acres under improvements, a good, commodious, two-story dwelling house, a living spring of water and within one and a quarter miles of the village of Ellsworth.* Not less than one-third of purchase money to be paid by purchaser at time of sale.

J. L. Barnes; THOS. HURLEY; H. B. WARNER} Com. Dated at Ellsworth, Feb. 1st, 1876. 29-5.

*The farm, while most likely long gone, might still be potentially laid out on old maps or else its location findable by stated coordinates, and “living springs of water” do not disappear of themselves.

160 Years Ago THE PRESCOTT TRANSCRIPT

March 2, 1861 The Minnesota Legislature passed a memorial, on the 9th, for a daily mail from Prescott to Taylor Falls.

THE COUNTY BOARD—The County Clerk reminds us that we were wrong last week in saying that the County Board meets on Monday. It is on Tuesday next that the session begins.

County Officers G. W. CAIRNS, Register of Deeds; office in City Hall Building, Main street.

HENRY P. AMES, Sheriff; R. N. REDMAN Deputy;–office over the Bank, Main street.

J. H. SOUTHWICK, County Treasurer, Office in City Hall Building, Main Street.

WILLIAM HOWER, County Judge. Office in Concert Hall Building, Orange street.

P. D. PIERCE, District Attorney; Office at Trimbelle.

It is a glorious thing to resist temptations; but it is a safe thing to avoid them.

Compiled by Joseph Back