Clay County Historical Society

In this issue:Bergquist Cabin Open House June 27 & 28 • To Serve and Protect:Aprons through the Ages • Reflections on 2003 Annual Meeting

Annie Stein, a daughter of Adam Stein, an early Clay County pioneer, is pictured here wearing ahouse dress and long half-apron. Annie was also an amateur photographer, and we have several ofher photographs in the collection.

II President's Column

As I am writing this column, the leavesare starting to push their way out of theleaf buds, the grass is greening up nicely,and the robins are busy calling to eachother and feathering their nests. Springwill soon turn to the fullness of summerwith all the vacation and fun family time that summerbrings.

I hope that you will remember the Clay County Museumwhen you are giving the personal guided tour of our areato your out-of-town guests. Our exhibit, Eating Out inClay County, is great and will definitely get those memo-ries and conversations flowing. The Scandinavian Hjem-komst Festival is an extra special time to have travelersvisit our area, and our Bergquist Cabin will be openduring the Festival weekend of June 27-29.

If you travel to other areas this summer, try to visit theirlocal museum sites and share your reactions with us aswe strive to be the best Historical Society we can be.

II Donations and Memorials IIMarch & April 2003

Helen Rudie, Fargo, ND, In memory of Diane MeyerGeorgetown Gardeniers, Georgetown, MNJaque/yn Keck, Williston, NDGerald & Kathy Schroeder, Harwood, ND

Donations for Change Collecting FundraiserBen Brunsvold, Moorhead, MNKevin Campbell, Moorhead, MNJohn Elton, Hawley, MNRodney Erickson, Moorhead, MNMarion Gee, Fargo, NDJoyce Haug, Hawley, MNLee Kolle, Borup, MNHelen Rudie, Fargo, NDA/vin Swanson, Moorhead, MNMerlyn Valan, Moorhead, MNDonna & Mark Vox/and, Moorhead, MNDale White, Moorhead, MN

Show respect for your pastwith a memorial to CCHSfor Mother's and Father's Days

Your Mother and/or Father have given you a lotthrough the years, so wouldn't it be great to honor themwith a gift that lasts?

Memorials to the Clay County Historical Society helpus continue our work to "collect, preserve, and dissemi-nate knowledge of the history of Clay County," whichincludes the memory of its people.

Gifts can be designated to the CCHS EndowmentFund, Collections, Archives, Bergquist Cabin, RollagSchool, or General Operations.

Honor your roots today!

'.. .

~o~f~ CLAY~OYN:FY..' '..vr;,(C~Nes. HIST~~ICAL SOCIETY, ~ HjemkomsLCent(3r, 202 1st Avenue North

POBox 501,.rv1oorhead,MN 56561-0501Phone: 218-299-5520/Fax: 218-299-5525

www.info.co.c1ay.mn.us/history

BOARD OF DIRECTORSDonna Voxland, President, MoorheadHelen Rudie, Vice President, MoorheadAlvin Swanson,Tre~surer, MoorheadJotm Elton, Secretary, BorupBell §rurJsvold,. CountyRep., Moprhead-Steve Aakre, HawleyRose Bergan, Ha\t'lleyRodney Erickson, MoorheadSam Leathes,.Mobrhecld;Merlyn Valan, rv1oorD~adSherry lNaH, GlyndonD.ale White, Moorh~ad

STAFF;tisa Hanson, Directqr .Pam Burkhar9t, Col!estions ManagerMark Peihi,. ArchivistAlvera Murch, Book~eepgrJanetNe!son, Volunteer Coordinator .i~9rJe Renner,. Office ASSistant (funded by Experience Works)

NEW.SLE'I"J'ER PRODUCtiONLisa Himson, EditorPam 8urkhardt, ..contributorMark Peihl,Cqntriblltor·j

CCHS STAFF E-MAILlisa.hanson@ci.moorhead.mn.us

pam. burkhardt@ci.moorhead.mn.usmark. peihl@ci.moorhead.mn.us

Clay County Historical Society May/June 2003 Newsletter

Bergquist Cabin Open House, June 27 & 28Scandinavian Hjemkomst Festival, June 27-29Once again, the 1870 John Bergquist Log Cabin, theoldest home on its original site in Moorhead, will beopen for visitors and enthusiasts on June 27 & 28.

Activities at the cabinwill include tours byCCHS Archivist Mark

• Peihl, music, refresh-"ftl~~~

-,",,"'H''',- ,.,-. ments, many hands-on'.•.•"..", Swedish craft activities

and demonstrations, and face painting for the young-at-heart. CCHS and the Swedish Cultural HeritageSociety will co-host the event in conjunction withthe Scandinavian Hjemkomst Festival.

The cabin is located on 7th Street, just south of 11thAvenue North in Moorhead. Limited parking isavailable, and a shuttle bus is planned to transportguests from the Festival at the Hjemkomst Center tothe cabin.

The 26th Annual Scandinavian Festival will runJune 27-29 at the Hjemkomst Center, 202 1st Ave-

nue North, Moorhead. The festival celebrates thecultures and traditions of Denmark, Finland, Iceland,Norway, Sweden, and Scandinavian America.

Authentic Scandinavian and Scandinavian-Americanethnic entertainment, with folk dancing, arts andcrafts demonstrations, and music from ScandinavianFolk to the new Nordic Sound will be featured, aswell as mouthwatering Scandinavian foods, colorfulfolk costumes, family history resources, and magicalstorytellers. With Norway as this year's featuredcountry, learn to cook Nordic-style at TOP~§the Scandinavian Cooking School, andf4i1iTi1.II· ~~meet the famous Norwegian FjordO~~gHorses! $tmNriAdmission to the festival is $5 for adults, $4 for 55+,and free for ages 19 and under. Adults can purchasea three-day festival pass for $8. For more informa-tion about the Cabin Open House, contact CCHS at218-299-5520. For information about festival visitwww.scandinavianhjemkomstfestival.org, or call218-299-5452.

~o.ta ~ author to give brown-bag program at CCHS, Thursday May 22When faced with the decision of selecting a jobdescription for her business cards, Joan ClaireGraham chose "Purveyor of Memories." She thinksher job title might be unique.

Graham has been traveling around Minnesota for thepast two years gathering true stories for her Minne-sota Memories books and sharing published storieswith audiences at libraries, schools, historical socie-ties, book stores and organizations.

Since the recent publication of Minnesota Memories3, the Purveyor of Memories has set out once againto entertain audiences with the extraordinary stories

of ordinary folks. She will be appearing at the ClayCounty Museum on Thursday, May 22, 12:00-2:00,for a brown bag program.

Explaining her mission, Graham says, "I spent myfirst forty years in Minnesota. When I moved to theWest Coast, and then to the East, I repeatedly fendedoff misconceptions about Minnesotans. Based onwhat they see or read on The Golden Girls or themovie Fargo, or the popular book How to TalkMinnesotan, people in other places perceive typicalMinnesotans to be dim bulbs like Ole and Lena whoconstantly say 'you betcha,' and eat hotdish for

Continued on page 12,..

II o_u t_re a_ch_D_is_pI_ay_s ••...•11 IIHawley Public LibraryMoorhead Public LibraryBarnesville Public LibraryFargo CVB

OpenAprilAprilMayApril

CloseJulyJulyJulyOctober

The Hawley Public Library travels back in time( , ..~"'\ with more THEN & NOW photos. This displaylld~JU' pairs old photographs of Clay County sites with

more recent photos taken in the same place.

Moorhead Public Library presents WHAT IS IT?" WHEN WAS IT? This display tests the knowledge

AtC of young and old alike. If you are stumped by

•

Cc .Jll;!!:)(};$) these items, you are in the right place to lookc'> ~\,(~- them up!

The Barnesville Public Library travels back in time withthe photo display THEN & NOW. This display pairs an oldphotograph of a Clay County site with a more recentphoto taken in the same place.

Visitors at the Fargo Convention and Visitors'Bureau along 1-94will have FUN IN THESUN! this summer. The display highlightsfishing, swimming and baseball. Watch out forthose pesky mosquitoes!

The CCHS hall case hosts the Norway display as part ofthe Scandinavian Festival June 27-29,2003. Norway isthe featured country this year. This display will open May17.

CCHS set up a special display of exquisite, hand-decorated china in the lobby area. These items werepainted by Beulah Forness who is teaching a class inchina painting in the building on Tuesday mornings.

A small case promoting our EATING OUT IN CLAYCOUNTY is on view in the lobby in the Hjemkomst Cen-ter. We hope this "appetizer" whets your appetite for the"main course" in the CCHS museum just down the stairs.

SCHOOL DAYS AT THE CLAY COUNTYFAIR JULY 11-13, 2003

CCHS will debut a new outreach case display in theschoolhouse at the Clay County Fair this year. SchoolDays will feature photos from Clay County schools. Acompanion display Fun With Dick and Jane will alsoappear. Don't be absent! Stop in during your visit to thefair.

Artifacts & Donors

Donors:Moorhead: Donna McMaster, Margret Kragnes, Amy Monson,

Sylvia Lell, MSUM Archives, Clay County Recorder's OfficeFargo-Moorhead: Quest Pioneers, Red River Valley Council

Region #18 [formerly Telephone Pioneers of America]Barnesville: Joanne OgrenUlen: Maybelle DinsmoreEden Prairie: Marion Dane BauerSouth St. Paul: Gary HoffmanFargo, ND: Jerry Quam, Mark PeihlAlexandria, VA: John Caron

Artifacts include: The Daily Graphic, An Illustrated EveningNewspaper, New York, Friday, August 11,1882, containing anarticle and drawings of Moorhead made from photos by F. JayHaynes, Fargo, DT; copy of a photo showing oxen pulling a"Votes for Women" parade wagon; copy of an interview of Ade-line Larson by Terry L. Shoptaugh made June 19,1999; a photoof the depot at Winnipeg Jct. in 1907; photo postcards of Haw-ley; Normal School programs from 1913 & 1916; Fargo Conser-vatory & Opera House programs including one for the Openingof the New Auditorium in 1915; roll of 16mm film marked July 9,1940; @45 photo prints & color photocopies of area autoracing& related activities; book, Land of the Buffalo Bones, Diary ofMary Ann Elizabeth Rodgers, An English Girl in Minnesota,New Yeovil, Minnesota 1873 ©2003 by Marion Dane Bauerpublished as part of Scholastic's Dear America series. Bauerwrote, this is an historical novel based on my great grandfa-thers--the Rev. George Rodgers'--having brought a colonyfrom England to Hawley in 1873.

One lot with multiple items of Vernon Kragnes, Morken Twp.includes a Recordio-gram made by Vernon at Selfridge Field,Mich., on Nov. 22,1942. Kragnes died in a plane crash Dec. 27,1942. The collection has many documents from his early schooldays, graduation and military service. Some three-dimensionalitems are included. The lot also has items of Vernon's brotherRussell, mother Cora, and Russell's wife Margret.

Other items are a labeled rubber stamp holder used at the ClayCounty Courthouse; (7) Siegel's "Golden bucks" worth $5(similar to a coupon); an uncirculated check from AmericanState Bank of Moorhead 194_; three sets of paper napkinsfrom the late 1940s-early 1950s for a shower, Easter&Thanksgiving; a stick-craft lamp made by Leonard Johnson ofHawley in the late 1970s; a swizzle stick with a green & whitewhistle attached to one end "Slick as a Whistle Club" "FredrickMartin Hotel, "Moorhead Minnesota"

Thank you! Results of our Request:In our March/April newsletter we ask readers to send in cook-books. We received two so far: the Pine to Prairie Cookbook,by the Quest Pioneers, Red River Valley Council, Region #18ND & MN; and Recipes & Remembrances, 125 Years 1876-2001 "A Collection of Recipes by Bethlehem Lutheran ChurchWomen" by Maybelle Dinsmore of Ulen. Both have wonderfulrecipes and the cover on the Ulen cookbook is lovely. Both do-nors deserve our many thanks. How about your organization,church or club? We will accept "gently used" or "previouslyowned" cookbooks, too.

Clay County Historical Society May/June 2003 Newsletter

To Serve and ProtectBy Pam Burkhardt, Collections Manager

In March and April, CCHS displayed a smallpart of a collection of aprons belonging to VickyJo Bogart of Fargo. Most of these aprons weremade between the late 1930s and the 1970s.Aprons were essential in the preparation ofchurch dinners, in the food service industry andfor home entertaining. In the September/October 1995 issue of our newsletter, we ranan article on aprons. We are rerunning a .....condensed version of that article, and taking acloser look at more modem aprons.

Protective or fashionable, age or class-related,gender-specific or genderless, the apron hasbeen with us for centuries. The apron as aspecial garment attained its function and signifi-cance around five hundred years ago.

1500-1600 The apron was worn mainly by thelower classes, workmen, craftsmen andchildren. For the lower class woman, an apronwas worn throughout the day's activities. Itprotected her clothing while cooking, cleaningand shopping. The apron was a protective partof daily social dress. Workmen and craftsmenwould continue to wear aprons for protectionthrough the centuries.

1600-1700 Both lower and middle class womenwore functional aprons and toward the end ofthe century, fashionable upper class womenbegan to wear them as well. However, becausethey were non-functional, they were often tiny,made from expensive materials, embroideredand trimmed with expensive lace.

1700-1800 Aprons were still a part of lower andmiddle class protective dress. However, in themiddle of the century, the plain, utilitarian apronbecame a more decorative part of daily social

dress. Servants were required to wear apronsas part of the uniform that represented theirlower class standing and servitude.

1800-present An apron was (and still is) asocial garment related to domestic activity anda sign of servitude in the workplace. When en-tertaining guests a "better" apron might be wornthan when in the family circle. On more formaloccasions, the "best" apron would be worn.

J

Kitchens and cooking were women's work, butthe backyard is less gender-specific. In the1950s, men's barbecue aprons were practical,but surly slogans might be applied to offset anyfeminine implications. Waitpersons and maidswear aprons as part of a uniform, but theimplied lower social standing is shed at the endof the work shift along with the apron.

Collecting aprons: materials andembellishements

Aprons in the 1900s were usually made ofcotton fabrics. These might be embellished withrickrack, embroidery or applique. Look for differ-ent colors and sizes of rickrack. Embroideryappears frequently on gingham fabric becausethe regular checks formed a grid for stitching.On aprons with more free-style embroidery,look for pre-printed lines under the stitching.Some of these designs were ironed-on frompatterns found in ladies' magazines or madewith purchased embroidery patterns. Someaprons have unusual shapes or creativelyplaced pockets. Money saving, homemadeaprons might be made from feed sacks orassembled like a patchwork quilt.

Crocheted cotton aprons were worn for moreformal occasions when protection took a backseat to looks. Hankie aprons made from multi-ple cotton handkerchiefs were also worn on

formal occasions. Specialevent aprons might have aholiday theme, weddingbells, or be made of lesspractical fabric such as net.

Not all aprons are cotton.Look for fancy fabrics suchas organdy, dotted Swissor polished cotton. Unusualmaterials include plastic,net and paper.

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Look for bib aprons withthe neck strap or pinafore-style with crossed shoulderstraps. Cobbler apronscover the torso and theupper part of the skirt.These may have multiple ~pockets around the lowerhem. A similar style is thesmock that covers evenmore. Aprons bearingmessages include barbe-cue aprons and carpenter'saprons displaying companynames. Finally, the popularshort half apron hasnumerous variations. A full-circle apron falls in gracefulfolds because of the extra fabric used. Someaprons have gathers at the waistband, othersare pieced to create the desired shape whenworn.

with period graphics wouldmake an attractive collec-tion.

If you are not interested inthe apron itself, otherrelated collectibles includeapron patterns, booklets,potholders, pot holder hold-ers, hot pads or hot padcovers. Hot pad coverslook like a cross between apotholder and a hair net butwere made as a decorativecovering for store-bought,metal hot pads.

Look around - interestingaprons might be hidingsomeplace in your house!Aprons of all shapes, sizesand designs are still outthere. Aprons are bothpractical and decorative.Finally, collecting is a goodexcuse to go to rummagesales and flea markets!

Walt Disney's Cinderella Apron pattern was agive-away by J.C Penney Company, Inc. Themovie Cinderella opened in 1950. Like magic (inthis case, sewing) your apron can be made for"every day" (untrimmed) or as a "dress-up acces-sory" (trimmed). Options include ties at the front,back or either side. The instructions and pattern areon the back of this full color promotion. In onecomer, Cinderella is shown wearing her apron overAdvance [dress] Pattern 5406.

You might choose to collect aprons with specificembellishments such as embroidery, rickrack orfaux jewels. Children's aprons are harder tofind, but they are adorable. What category fitsyour style? Do you like the 1930s mint-applegreen or sherbet orange? How about the earth-toned 1970s? Imagine collecting red, white &blue or floral prints Qr fruit. Preprinted fabrics

CCHS would like to thankVicky Jo Bogart for the loan ofa small part of her collectionof aprons, potholders etc.Many visitors expressed

appreciation for this display as well as for thememories it brought back.

Aprons of the mid-20th century: To Serve andProtect, Judy Florence, 2001, published bySchiffer.

Lutheran Church Basement Women, JanetLetnes Martin and Allen Todnem, 1992,published by Redbird Productions.

My Mother's Apron, by Edward Keller, 2001,published by the author as part of the EarlyDakota Prairie Series.

Janet Martin a Hit!CCHS' "Lutheran Lady" program by Janet Martin onMarch 29 was one of our biggest programs ever, attract-ing 150 guests! Janet entertained the crowd with herScandinavian humor, excerpts from her numerous books,and by judging a Jell-O® contest. Rosa Stolzenberg wonone of Martin's books for second place in the Jell-O®contest, and Mayor Mark Voxland and Lauri WinterfeldtShanks were awarded Martin's book Growing UpLutheran for first place for their lefse and Jell-O® dish!

Janet Martin, the Lutheran Lady, entertains the crowdwith her critique of the dishes entered in the Jell-O®contest.

Monthly Results of theFavorite Restaurant pollIn CCHS' current exhibit, Eating Out in Clay County,visitors can vote for their favorite Clay County restaurant,past or present! The following are the results for the firstfour months of 2003:

January: 1st place, Sarello's; 2nd place, tie between theRex Cafe and Speak Easy

February: 1st place, Subway; 2nd place, Speak Easy

March: 1st place, Speak Easy; 2nd place, 7-way tie,Sarello's, Grand Buffet, Bennigan's, Subway, Burger King,Willy's in Dilworth, Silver Moon

April: 1 vote each for F-M, Gopher Grill, Perkins, Rex,T n' T's Cafe in the Moorhead Center Mall, Tree Top,Village Inn, and the White Spot.

If you don't see your favorite restaurant here, comein to the museum, bring your friends, and VOTE!

The State of Historyin MinnesotaAs many of you know, the State of Minnesota is facing anhistoric budget shortfall. As a result many quality programs areexperiencing a crippling reduction in funding. We know thathistory is important to you as a member of the Clay CountyHistorical Society, and so would like to pass along this letterfrom the Minnesota Historical Society we received a few daysago. It is reprinted here with permission.

As an active participant in the community of Minnesota histori-cal organizations, you know that among the many qualities thatmake Minnesota a special place to live is the degree to whichMinnesotans value their history. Today, the State of Minnesotafaces an unprecedented budget shortfall, which threatens manyof the programs and services that Minnesotans have come tovalue an enjoy. As part of the Governor'sbudget proposal, theMinnesota Historical Society would experience a 15percentreduction infunding-over $8 million in a two-year period.Most recently, the budget proposed by the Minnesota House forthe Society wouldfurther reduce this appropriation proposedby the Governor by an additional $1.6 million over the bien-nium.

lfthe Legislature approves this reduced level offunding, theSociety would have no choice but to make deep cuts in its ser-vices to the state's people. One significant reduction in servicesto county and local historical organizations would be a verylarge cutback in Sate Grants-in-Aid that have helped organiza-tions like yours carry out many important projects. It is alsolikely that it would be more difficult for you to get answers tothe questions you ask of staff members at the Society. Therewould also be deep reductions in other mqjor programs andservices. Historic sites would close. Hours of operation: pro-grams and services would be greatly reduced at those historicsites that remain open. Operations and public programs wouldbe reduced at the History Center Museum and Library. TheSociety would not be able to acquire some irreplaceable his-torical materials as they become available on the market. His-toric preservation programs would be reduced. And therewould be a serious reduction in our services to school childrenwhose knowledge of the past will determine Minnesota's future.

As someone active in a historical organization, you know thatthe Minnesota Historical Society depends on a base of supportfrom the State of Minnesota for its operations. We recognizethat times are tough, and we will do our part to help the stateget through this budget challenge. But, in the end, we hope thatwe will be able to make our high quality programs and servicesavailable for this generation an for generations to come. Manyof you have called or written and asked what you can do tohelp. At this crucial time, I ask you to voice your support forthe work of the Society. The most effective thing you can do isto let your own elected officials and other key decision-makersknow that the activities of the Society are important to you, and

Distribution of Tractor Ownership in Clay County, 1925

Tractors per townshipI 13 -708-12

13 - 17_18 -22_ 23 -34

Reflections on CCHS Annual MeetingBy Mark Peihl, Archivist

On April 8, CCHS members met at the HjemkomstCenter for our annual meeting. I did a programdescribing ways in which we have been using newtechnologies to learn about Clay County's past.These included email use, CCHS' website and ouruse of Clay County's Geographic InformationSystem (GIS) software to create maps from varioustypes of database information "layered" over eachother. The demonstration elicited some interestingcomments and questions from the audience. I'll tryto highlight a couple of those in this article.

Two of the maps I presented showed the distributionof trucks and tractors on farms in Clay County in1925. (The information came from township bytownship tabulations of data from the nearly annualMinnesota Department of Agriculture's FarmCensus returns. We have photocopies in our collec-tions.) They showed a striking geographic differencein the distribution of these vehicles in the county(see the maps here and on page 8). The westerntownships show a dramatic concentration of tractorsand very few trucks whereas in the southeasterntownships nearly the exact opposite was true, veryfew tractors and lots of trucks. I created the mapsonly a couple of days before the program (yes, I'm aprocrastinator) and didn't have time to think themthrough. I presented the maps as examples of howtrends we don't expect sometimes popup when wedisplay database information graphically. Fortu-nately, our members came to my aid. Clay CountyChairman Jon Evert suggested that trucks might bemore common in the southeast because it's the onepart of Clay County without railroads. FormerMSUM President Roland Dille suggested that thesmall farms prevalent in the southeast might havebeen efficiently farmed with horses and that tractorsof the period might not have been as effective on thesloping, hilly country there. Likewise, I suppose,tractors might have been more useful farming theflatlands of the Red River Valley and horses as

effective and cheaper than trucks in hauling heavyloads long distances.

Trucks per township01-3114 - 6

7 - 14_ 15 - 25_ 26 -55

I also demonstrated the use of GIS to create a seriesof maps showing US lands taken in Clay Countythrough Cash Entry Sales and provisions of theHomestead Act. I mapped out lands taken year byyear and presented them as a "movie" showing thecounty filling up with settlers. Professor Dille askedwhat preemption was and how it fit into the publicland disposal systems. I said I wasn't sure but

thought it had to do with the taking of unsurveyedlands. Our members quickly disabused me of thatidea. I was properly embarrassed at not knowingsomething I should, so did some research after themeeting. Here's what I found.

With the addition of the Northwest Territories andthe Louisiana purchase, the country not only grewdramatically in the late 18th and early 19th centuries,but the United States suddenly found itself control-ling a large amount of very salable land. Twoschools of thought about how to dispose of the landcame about. Some folks focused on the income thatcould be derived from land sales, others thought theincome should be secondary to getting the countryfilled with productive farmers. Some early landdisposal.schemes set umealistically high require-ments for acquiring the land, such as mandating aminimum purchase of 640 acres. In 1841, Congresssided with the settlers, passing the Preemption Act.The act basically provided a way for farmers to buyup to 160 acres of US government land on credit.The prospective settler chose a parcel of surveyed ornot surveyed land and filed a "Declaratory State-ment" with the local land office that he had settledon the parcel and intended to eventually buy it fromthe government. His claim "preempted" any subse-quent claims on the land. After surveying the land,-the government offered it up in blocks for outrightpurchase. If the settler's parcel was on land surveyedand previously offered but not purchased, he or shehad thirty days after actually settling on the propertyto file a Declaratory Statement. On surveyed butunoffered lands, the settler had three months to file.On unsurveyed plots, he had to file within threemonths of when the land office received the survey-ors' plat map of the township. So it was possible fora settler to "squat" on a piece of ground for sometime before filing a preemption claim.

After filing, the settler seeking offered land had oneyear to work the land and save up enough money topurchase the property. At that time, he had to fileaffidavits from two witnesses proving that he hadlived on and improved the land during that time.This was called "proving up." Settlers on unofferedor unsurveyed land had 30 months to prove up andpay for the land.

Clay County Historical Society May/June 2003 Newsletter

Most land in the country sold for the governmentminimum price of $1.25 per acre. In areas whererailroads had been granted land grants (such as inClay County) the land was presumed more valuable.Here government lands sold at "double minimum,"or $2.50 per acre.

A perhaps more familiar way to acquire governmentland was through the Homestead Act of 1862. Theprovisions were similar to the Preemption Act butthe prospective homesteader could acquire the landfor free if he or she improved and lived on the landfor five years. After filing a homestead claim andpaying a small filing fee, the settler had six monthsto actually move onto the land. At the end of fiveyears, the homesteader had up to an additional twoyears to "prove up," to provide witnesses to hisimprovements, etc., much like the Preemption Act.

There are a couple of common myths regarding theHomestead Act. After proving up and receiving titleto his property, the Land Office sent the settler a"patent," an official certificate granting the home-steader his land. These certificates often wind up infamily papers. Each bears the signature of the Presi-dent in office when the patent was issued. Manyfolks have proudly showed me these papers, "signedby President Grover Cleveland" or whomever.Unfortunately, no President had the time to sign tensof thousands of such patents issued each year. Aclerk in the General Land Office signed the certifi-cates for him.

Another colorful myth involves stories of unscrupu-lous homesteaders who noticed that the HomesteadAct required the homesteader to build a dwelling" 14x 14." As the Act did not specify feet or inches,some settlers built tiny cabins 14 inches by 14inches. Charming stories but totally untrue. Fraudwas common in homesteading but the governmenthad no interest in the precise size or type of houseone built. Nowhere in the Homestead Act nor itsamendments is there dictated a required house size.

New Board members elected at Annual MeetingRose Bergan, Sam Leathes, Sherry Watt, and Dale Whitewere four CCHS members elected to the CCHS Board ofDirectors at the society's annual meeting at the Hjem-komst Center, April 8, 2003.

The new directors fill vacant spots on the board left byMarion Gee, Joyce Haug, and Lee Kolle, whose termshad expired. Gee, Haug, and Kolle were thanked duringthe meeting for their service to the society.

Seventy-seven CCHS Members attended the meeting anddinner, catered by MSUM-Sodexho. CCHS ArchivistMark Peihl presented a program about the use of GIStechnology in the CCHS Archives.

Sam LeathesElected to 1st three-year term, 2003-2006

Sam Leathes became a Weekend Volunteer at the ClayCounty Museum just months after he joined the historicalsociety in 2000. Sam graduated from the University ofMinnesota with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He has ownedseveral businesses in Ada, Minnesota, but has lived inClay County, with his wife Mavis and two daughters,Jenifer and Jelene, for 24 years, and currently works part-time at Meritcare Hospital. Sam enjoys feeling like a partof Clay County's history as a member of the historicalsociety. One of Sam's goals for the historical society is toget more and more people of the surrounding areainvolved.

Sherry WattElected to 1st three-year term, 2003-2006

Sherry Watt was born in Moorhead and is an alumnus ofMoorhead High School. She earned a Bachelor of Sci-ence degree in Education from Hamline University, andtaught Junior High English and physical education in St.Paul before she married her husband Tom, and became ahomemaker and mother to Kirk, David, and Lori. Sherryis interested in the preservation of the Bergquist Cabinbecause her father was born and raised in it. She becameinterested in CCHS while administering her parents'

'C-C-H-S-2-0-0-3--2-0-0-4-B-o-a-r-d-o-f-D-ir-e-ct-o-rs-.-F-ro-n-t-ro-w-,-I-t-o-r:-H-e-I-en-------,estate,when she found items that she thought wouldRudie, AlvinSwanson, Donna Voxland, Sherry Watt, Rose Bergan. interest the museum. She believes that supporting CCHSBack row, I to r: Rodney Erickson, MerlynValan, Ben Brunsvold, by becoming a member helps "keep the history of ClayDale White, John Elton. Not pictured are: Steve Aakre and Sam County alive and interesting for future generations."Leathes.

Biographies of the new board members are printed herefor the knowledge of all CCHS members.

Rose BerganElected to 1st three-year term, 2003-2006

Rose Bergan is a graduate of Moorhead State Collegewith a degree in Elementary Education. Rose taught atHawley School for more than 40 years, and currentlyserves on the board of the new Hawley School Founda-tion and the Clay County REACH program. Rose enjoysreading and gardening. Rose's husband Gary's familysettled in Skree Township in the late 1800s. Rose verymuch enjoys local history for its more personal aspect.She thinks CCHS' greatest assets are its excellent staffand leadership, and research facility.

Dale WhiteElected to 1st three-year term, 2003-2006

Dale White was appointed in October 2002 to completeArvid Thompson's term on the CCHS Board. He iscurrently active on the CCHS Membership Committee.Dale was born and raised in Clay County, and is a retiredCounselor and Registrar from Northwest TechnicalCollege in Moorhead. He taught English in Minnesotaschools for several years, and served as Registar atNDSU-Bottineau for seven years, but one of his first jobswas as a railroad telegrapher. Dale became acquaintedwith CCHS through his interest in genealogy and localhistory. He would like to increase awareness of CCHS inthe county, increase membership, and better utilize mem-bers' talents and energy. Dale and his wife Elaine havethree children and four grandchildren.

every meal. Nothing could be farther from the truth."

"I don't know if there is a typical Minnesotan, but Ido know that Minnesota has been the trainingground for some of the most accomplished, enter-prising, intelligent, creative and hard-working peo-ple in history. Many of these people became famousin politics, medicine, the arts, aviation, education,business and athletics, and their stories have alreadybeen told. Their stories are already part of recordedhistory, so we know who they are and we respecttheir accomplishments."

"But I seek and serve a different audience. My mis-sion is to gather extraordinary stories and memoriesfrom ordinary folks who might not have anotherforum for sharing what they have to say with an

Clay County Historical Society May/June 2003 Newsletter

audience outside their families or social groups. TheMinnesota Memories, Minnesota Memories 2, andMinnesota Memories 3 books offer the reader a totalof 124 true stories that range in tone from funny toheroic, tragic, historic or reflective. Although thesestories are entertaining and fun to read and sharewith others, they do not make fun of the real peopleinvolved in the stories. These stories need no exag-geration or embellishment to be as good as they are."

Graham, who has entertained crowds throughout thestate, will read published stories, sign books, andinvite local audience members to submit stories forinclusion in a future volume.

For more information, call the Clay County Museumat 218-299-5520, or email Lisa at lisa.hanson@ci.moorhead.fill.us.

NewiCCHSil\1emberships&Renewal~Duane & Joan Erickson, MoorheadKatherine Erickson, MoorheadLoretta Erickson, MoorheadRodney Erickson, MoorheadKaren D. Evanson, MoorheadClara P. Evenson, FargoJune & Phil Felde, MoorheadJanet Fox, HawleyHoward R. Geng, MoorheadRobert L. Gerke, MoorheadPatty Gulsvig, MoorheadLaVerne Larson Halverson, MinneapolisDelmar & Rhoda Hansen, MoorheadJuliet Hanson, FargoLoren Helmeke, FargoRalph & Ethel Hest, MoorheadRobert & Janet Hillier, MoorheadJohn R. Holten, MoorheadMr. & Mrs. Earl Ingebretsen, FeltonCarol M. Johnson, Centennial, CODr. Heidi Kassenborg, Afton, MNRichard Keeping, HawleyDiane Kline, MoorheadPaul & Florence Korsmo, FargoNona Krzyzaniak, MoorheadJeanette H. Ladwig, BarnesvilleGrace Landin, MoorheadKeith & Lorraine Langseth, GlyndonJerry & Dona Lein, MoorheadSandra McEvers, MoorheadMcLarnan, Hannaher & Skatvold,

P.L.L.P., Moorhead

CCHS extends a special thank you tothe following individuals who renewedtheir memberships or became newmembers in March and April:

NEW MEMBERSRobert A. Brekken, HawleyMike Elton, Burnsville, MNPatty Gulsvig, MoorheadRichard & Sharon Krabbenhoft, W FargoKathy Richards, GeorgetownMyrtle Tufton, MoorheadRobert & Judy Videen, MoorheadGloria Weisgram, MoorheadDonna Woods, Georgetown

RENEWALSNorman B. Akesson, Davis, CAFlorence Anderson, MoorheadOlive Andvik, MoorheadMrs. Helen D. Benson, MoorheadDorothy Carey, MoorheadDonna Chalimonczyk, MoorheadKenneth Christianson, Detroit LakesDr. Yvonne Condell, MoorheadAnn Darby, MoorheadPaul Desjardins, FeltonJean P. Doty, HawleyGordon & Carol Ekre, HawleyArnie & Mary Ellingson, FargoBarbara Engler, Roseville, MN

Ethel R. Medalen, Mankato, MNEileen Michels, St. Paul, MNMilo M. Moyano, MoorheadKaren Myran, HawleyHarding Noblitt, MoorheadLila Ordal, MoorheadDon & Kathy Pingree, GeorgetownElsie Pitsenbarger, FargoRoberta Radford, MoorheadAlfred Rieniets, MoorheadMel & Margaret Ristvedt, HawleyRiver Keepers, FargoLeslie Rogne, Kindred, NDKarol Kay Rood, Jacksonville, FLVilera Rood, MoorheadSteve & Lucia Schroeder, GlyndonMildred Skugrud, MoorheadRachael Smithwick, BarnesvilleStenerson Lumber, MoorheadRuth & Olin Storvick, MoorheadO. T. "Bud" Swanson, MoorheadAubrey & Catherine Thomas, MoorheadMary Ellen Thompson, Roseville, MNBruce N. Thorson, Waite Park, MNBernadine & Otto Ursin, MoorheadVikingland Kiwanis, MoorheadWard Muscatell Automotive Group, Inc.,

MoorheadArthur & Marie Wenner, MoorheadHoward & Marcell Wergeland, Det. LakesDiane & Tom Wray Williams, Moorhead

How Deviled Eggs got their nameSource Unknown

Since the late 1700s, devil has been a culinaryverb, meaning to season highly. But the term"deviled eggs" evolved over time-for awhile, theywere known by the French name, Oeufs it la Diable.Either way, their hot moniker comes from the flavor-ings, such as dry mustard, hot pepper sauce, and/orground red pepper (cayenne). The ingredients vary,but the zesty bite is always there. (Jimtown's John

Werner uses capers, Dijon mustard, and blackpepper.)

To get deviled eggs to behave like little angels(and not slip and slide around), our test-kitchenexperts cut a thin slice from the rounded side of eachegg-white half-after the yolk has been removed-tomake a flat base. And they place the halves on ajell-roll pan lined with damp paper towels during prep,filling, and refrigerating.

S20

MooRiEADMINNESOTA

'"

rllblished by Heritage Publications in collaboration\Vlth the Clay County tlisloricat Society .

Moorhead 1900-2000: A Century of ChangeSend $23.00 for each book ordered to:

CCHS, PO Box 501, Moorhead, MN 56561-0501

A Century 01Changein Moorhead

Moorhead, 1900-2000: A Century of Change is full ofhistoric photographs and stories that provide the story ofMoorhead. See how much Moorhead has changed!

Fargo, NO, From Frontier Village to All America City,1875-2000 is a unique collection of photos and storieschronicling Fargo's first 125 years.

These high-quality, paper cover books, published byHeritage Publications of Hendrum, MN, are fundraisersfor the Clay and Cass County Historical Societies.

Pick up your copies today at the Clay County Museum &Archives in the Hjemkomst Center, 202 1st Avenue North,Moorhead, or send your check or money order for $23.00with the form below.

Fargo: From Frontier Villageto All-America City 1875-2000

Send $23.00 for each book ordered to:CCHS, PO Box 501, Moorhead, MN 56561-0501

History in Minnesota, continued from page 7

have had a positive impact on the work you do. A communica-tion from your organization would help, and so would individ-ual communications form members of your organization, vol-unteers and board members.

Tips on contacting elected officials and information on identi-fying your state legislator ... are ... available on the Society'sWeb site at http://www.mnhs.org/about/legis.html. The Soci-ety's Web site also contains further details about the Society'sbudget reduction plan and the latest information on legislativeactivities. Please be sure to let us know if you have any ques-tions about our activities or legislative program.

You may call Tim Glines, the Society's Manager ofOurtreachServices at 651-296-5460, or David Kelliher, the Society'sLegislative Liaison at 651-297-8085, for answers to your ques-tions. With your help, the Minnesota Historical Society willcontinue to be a strong part of Minnesota's tradition of greaterunderstanding and celebration of its past. Thank you for your

Continued on page 15...

Clay County Historical Society May/June 2003 Newsletter

June 27 & 28 Bergquist Cabin Open House

July 10-13 Clay County Fair, Barnesville

September Oktoberfest (tentative)

September CCHS Annual History Tour toHibbing, Grand Rapids (tentative)

October Dessert reception-exhibit closes

November New Exhibit opens!

December CCHS Holiday Open House

Sponsor, Patron,Slls!ainingand Supporting MembershipsPlease help us thank these members forsupporting the Clay County HistoricalSociety by patronizing theirbusinesses:

SPONSOR ($500 up) &PATRON ($200 to $499)Richtman's Printing &

Thibedeau & Co.

SUSTAINING ($100 to $199)Chamber of Commerce of Fargo

MoorheadCity of HawleyCM Associates, Richard T.

McMurray, Annandale, VADilworth/GlyndonlFelton ISDFirst National Bank of HawleyHawley Public SchoolsKorsmo Funeral ServiceMoorhead Area Public SchoolsMoorhead Drug CompanyMoorhead KiwanisRigels, Inc., Appliances-TVSellin Brothers, Inc.State Bank of HawleyState Bank of MoorheadVikingland Kiwanis

SUPPORTING ($50 to $99) Elsie PitsenbargerBentley & Bentley, DDS Bill & Evelette SnyderCass-Clay Creamery, Inc.City of Barnesville Individual Supporting MembersEventide Rod & Audrey AngstmanGreater Fargo Moorhead CVB Roland & Carolyn BardenLutheran Brotherhood, East Clay Dr. Yvonne Condell

County Branch 8430 Paul & Joyce EidboMcLarnan, Hannaher & Mr. & Mrs. Michael France

Skatvold, P .L.L.P. Burton & Catherine GroverMoorhead Area Retired John & Beverly Hest

Educators Association Audrey JonesMoorhead Midday-Central Lions Don & Alvina LeinStenerson Lumber Darren & Jane LenoWard Muscatell Automotive Ethel R. MedalenWells Fargo Bank MN, N A, Mhd Robert & Donna OlsonWright Funeral Home Lynne Olson______________ Charlotte Onstine

Thank you also to these individuals in Maynard & Elaine assthe Sustaining and Supporting Larry & Elsie Quammembership levels: Davis & Hazel Scott

Lois SelbergJim & Chris StenersonBruce N. ThorsonPhyllis ThysellMark & Donna VoxlandArthur & Marie Wenner

Individual Patron MembersRonald & Katherine Mentjes

Individual Sustaining MembersEsther OlsonLloyd & Bev Paulson

Bring your family and friends to the

Clay County Museum

EATING OUT INCLAY COUNTY

Our tastiest exhibit!From restaurants and picnics to hospital food and schoollunch-menus, lunch boxes, photos, luncheon sets,church dinners, archaeological saloon remains, andmore-Every way that residents of Clay County eat-out!

Vote for your favorite Clay Countyrestaurant and menu item, or emailor send your choice to us!lisa. hanson@ci.moorhead.mn.us

Thank you to the businesses, organizations & individualswho donated or lent time & materials for this exhibit!

Auto Salvage, Inc., City of Moorhead, Clay County SocialServices WIC Program, Fry'n Pan Restaurant, Heglund

Lutheran Church, McDonald's, MeritCare ClinicalNutrition Services, MeritCare Food Service, MeritCareMaterial Services, Perkins Family Restaurant, Red Bear

Grill & Tavern, Speak Easy Restaurant

ClayCoun~y Museum Hours: 10.-5Monday-Saturday,<10-~ Tuesday, 12-5 Sun~ay .. Hjemkomst Center, 202 1st Avenue NQrth, Moorhead; MN + FREE ADMISSION

support as a member of the community of Minnesota's histori-cal organizations and as an engaged citizen. Legislators willbe making final decisions about the state's budget in the nextfew weeks, so now is the time to make your voice heard. Yourvoice matters!

Sincerely,Nina ArchabalDirector

CCHS has received MHS State Grants-in-Aid grants for manyarchives projects since the grants first became available in thelate 1970s. Please let our legislators know how MHS grants toCCHS impact your family research, and how important MHShistoric sites, services, programs, and exhibits are to you.

Rep. Morrie Lanning593 State Office BldgStPaul, MN 55155-1206rep .morrie.lanning@house.mn

Rep. Paul Marquart311 State Office BldgSt Paul, MN 55155-1206rep. paul.marquart@ ...

Senator Keith Langseth122 State CapitolSaint Paul, MN 55155-1606Email: sen.keith.langseth@senate.mn

Find more information about House and Senate leader-ship and committee leadership at http://www.leg.state.mn.us/. Thank you for supporting CCHS and history inMinnesota!

CLAY COUNTYHISTORICAL SOCIETY

o $20 to $34 Individual*

o $35 to $49 Family*

o $50 to $99 Supporting

o $100to$199 Sustaining

o $200 to $499 Patron

o $500 or more Sponsor

CCHS MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS:

• Support preservation of your heritage• Bi-monthly newsletter• Discount on Acid-Free Preservation supplies• Discount on photo reproductions from archives• $1 off admission to Hjemkomst Center Exhibits• Invitation to all CCHS events• Access to all CCHS Tours• Voting Privileges

In addition to the great benefits listed above, Supporting, Sustaining,Patron and Sponsor members a certificate ready to frame and display,and a listing in all CCHS bi-monthly newsletters.

To become a CCHS Member please complete and return this form or acopy of this form to:

CLAY COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETYPO Box 501, Moorhead, MN 56561-0501

218-299-5520Visit our website! www.info.co.c1ay.mn.us/history