Looking back: Theives stole and crippled ducks in 1936

Talk about it

25 years ago

From the Oct. 22, 1986

edition of the

Farmington Independent

Farmington DQ broken into; cash, safe stolen

The Farmington Dairy Queen was burglarized last weekend. Local police said a “large amount of cash” was taken in the robbery.

The incident occurred Sunday night, when burglars made entry through a sliding glass window at the drive-up. Money was taken from a cash drawer. In addition, the restaurant’s safe was stolen.

Officer Dan Siebenaler of the Farmington police said that the robbers “knew the place pretty well.”

Dairy Queen management reportedly told police that to their surprise, no ice cream was stolen.

The robbery is under investigation, but police said that as of yesterday they had no idea.

Carey’s Corner thieves heist cigarettes, lighters

A local convenience store was broken into last week, resulting in a peculiar loss of merchandise and a roomful of broken glass.

Burglars made entrance into Carey’s Corner sometime last Wednesday night. Stolen were 30 cartons of cigarettes and more than a dozen cigarette lighters.

As of Thursday morning, owner Tom Carey didn’t think anything else was missing....

Entranceway was made through a window near the cash register. Glass was sent flying all over that area of the store, which resulted in a difficult cleanup job for Carey.

50 years ago

From the Oct. 19, 1961

edition of the

Dakota County Tribune

Filings open for village voting, Oct. 24

Filings for the December 5th village elections open Tuesday, October 24, and close Tuesday, November 7, according to Farmington City Attorney John McBrien.... In Farmington, the two-year term of Mayor Roy Rademacher expires this year, also the term of Councilman Harry McElmury is expiring. McElmury was appointed to the post vacated when Erle Mapes resigned.

Other terms expiring are that of Village Treasurer George Mohn, (two years); and Justice Charles Malecha (two years). There is one constable officer here also.

Local school board oks new budget

The Farmington School Board approved the school budget for the school year, 1961-62 at its last regular meeting held on Tuesday, October 11. The revised budget as accepted was reviewed by the board at the August and September meetings.

The budget of $485,500, for the General Fund is about $21,000, higher than last year. The increase is largely due to the increase of salaries of staff and the addition of two teachers in the high school....

The Future Building Fund has accumulated some $35,000; the board had not committed itself on whether or not a small levy would be continued for this purpose.

Girl, 3, gets hand in sheller

Mr. and Mrs. LaVerne Schuette of rural Farmington have certainly had their share of bad luck during October.

Rita Lunn, three year old daughter, suffered painful injury when she stuck her right hand into a corn sheller Thursday....

The corn sheller was in operation and no one saw the little girl reach inside to get a corn cob. She was taken to a Northfield doctor immediately for medical treatment. Three fingers were broken and 27 stitches were necessary to fix the cuts on her hand.

Don, hits 300!!

A HUSH came over a crowded Minnehaha Bowling Lanes Sunday during the Minnesota All-Star elimination. Don Mazurkiewicz, 32, proprietor of the Farmington Lanes, had 11 straight strikes and was shooting for the top – his first 33!

You could have heard a pin drop as Mazurk fired that crucial last shot. Yes, it was right on the target, a perfect pocket hit for the rare 300, the first one in the history scored by a resident of Central Dakota County area! The crowd broke into a roar of cheers. The local bowler was virtually smothered by a crowd of hand-shakers, including the TV stars. Actually, Don had thrown 17 straight strikes, having a five-bagger before starting that famous 33, which he almost blew in the 11th because of a crossover “no-brainer.” Don who rolls in four leagues, and who has a 194 composite average for all those leagues, rolled a 1382 for six games, which is a 230 average.

Landmark being razed

An old landmark in west Farmington on the banks of the Vermillion, is the 80-year-old P.H. Feely Estate house, which is now being razed by Ed Vail of Farmington. The house, which was made into a duplex in later years, is the last of the farm buildings on the 110 acre farm in the village. Eight acres of this Feely Estate farm were sold to the Federal government and 3 acres to the Central Tel. Co. The Ray Sprute family recently moved from the house. The P.H. Feely children were all born and reared here and after the death of P.H. Feely, his son William and family resided there.

75 years ago

From the Oct. 23, 1936

edition of the

Dakota County Tribune

Thieves steal and cripple local ducks

Several tame mallard ducks that lived on the banks of the Vermillion River were stolen and crippled, it was reported Monday morning by E. Kuchera who owns the local tourist park where the birds had made their home several years.

Twenty-five ducks in all were killed and crippled.

The thieves raided the duck flock in the dead of night, using a flashlight to find their prey, Mr. Kuchera said.

They cut the heads from several ducks and crippled several others.

“I know who two of the culprits are and I’m going to make it hot for them,” Emil said.

Crowd attends 1st gift awarding

The first gift awards in the big Buy-in-Farmington campaign drew a large crowd Wednesday afternoon when $35 in trade coupons were distributed to five persons. Freezing temperatures failed to keep away the crowd that lined the sidewalk from Nick’s corner to the former Datwyler building. All the prizes were handed out in 15 minutes....

Gifts were awarded as follows:

$15 in trade – D.W. Burton, $10 in trade – Harvey Smith, $5 in trade – Guy Rowell, $3 in trade – John Tapp, $2 in trade – Lloyd Rowell.

The campaign will continue until Christmas and weekly prize awards will be made every Wednesday afternoon at 2:30. Persons whose names are announced must be there to get the gifts.

Chick Hatchery to locate here

A deal was closed this week whereby Nick Zweber of Prior Lake purchased the Datwyler building formerly occupied by the Minnesota Natural Gas company.

The transaction means a new industry for Farmington as Mr. Zweber will operate a hatchery and will set up a new hatchery here with a Prior Lake couple in charge.

The building will be remodeled and made suitable for a hatchery although definite plans have not been made.

100 years ago

From the Oct. 20, 1911

edition of the

Dakota County Tribune

Dirt begins to fly

The foundation for the new electric light power house is now in the hands of the Larson Cement Company which will be completed this week. The contract for the erection of the building had been let to Warweg & Ritter who will push the work thru as fast as possible. Wm. Cook & Son will lay the walls and will begin early next week.

The building will be 32x60 feet solid brick and is to be completed by Nov. 20....

About twenty business homes and residences have been wired and others are coming into line for the new light. Mr. Eddy has one man helping him and will have three more after this week to help wire the streets and get things ready.

School Notes

On account of the rainy weather many of the primary pupils were absent from school Monday.

The new basketball has come. The first practice was held in Hoffman’s hall Wednesday evening.

The negative won in the debate last Friday. Resolved, that it is better to live in a small town than in a large city.

Mayme Cook has left school for a couple of months. She has gone to Washington and will continue her school duties there.

Some of the high school pupils hope that Friday the 13th, don’t come very soon again for it certainly seems to have brought the superstitions bad luck upon them.

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