Looking back: Stassen campaign for governor’s seat started in Dakota County 75 years ago

Talk about it

50 years ago

From the Nov. 22, 1962

edition of the

Dakota County Tribune

C.A. Hoffstater get railroad’s gold pass

After 50 years without ever having been pulled out of service, C.A. Hoffstater, Rt. 2, Farmington, a rail conductor, was awarded a Gold Pass good for a lifetime of travel on all Milwaukee Road trains by President William J. Quinn, Chicago.

Mr. and Mrs. Hoffstater were pleased with the award and anticipate putting it to good use when the opportunity arises.

City hall facilities under study

A special village council meeting was held on Monday night, Nov. 19, for the purpose of determining what action might be taken to provide better quarters for the Farmington library.

Attending the meeting were: Mayor Gorgos, Councilmen Hauk, McElmury, Councilman Church and Police Chief Klotzbeacher.

A possible location was presented by Councilman Church, involving the rental of the present location of John’s Furniture store on a five-year lease basis.

After considerable discussion, it was decided the approximate figure of $13,200 which would be involved in rental and utilities over the five-year period of the lease might well be used to better advantage in some other way.

Since a possibility does exist that better library quarters might be available elsewhere, reducing Farmington to a Bookmobile basis, it was the concensus of opinion that definite steps should be taken in the near future to provide adequate facilities. It was pointed out that the Scott-Dakota Library Board was prepared to supply a much larger stock of books should suitable quarters be provided.

Nab suspect in diamond theft here

At approximately 3 p.m. Nov. 17, David Reynolds, 54, Minneapolis, allegedly made an ill-fated effort to steal a wedding and engagement ring from Gerster’s Jewelry Store in Farmington.

Reyonlds, who was staying at the Salvation Army Harbor Light Mission in Minneapolis entered the store on Saturday afternoon and made inquiries from Jim Gerster concerning diamond rings.

After showing the man several rings, Gerster was asked if it might be possible to buy the rings on credit. Gerster explained it would be necessary to have references in such an event and had occasion to move toward the front of the store.

As he was returning to talk to the man again, Gerster was informed by Reynolds that he worked for a turkey raiser near town and would bring the employer in for reference. Reynolds then left the store.

When Gerster went to replace the rings within the showcase he noticed the original rings had been replaced with cheap rhinestone, adjustable rings and the $90 dollar set had been taken.

After checking through several stores in an effort to locate the man, Gerster found him in Anthony’s in the process of placing several articles in his pockets. Chief Klotzbeacher who had been informed of the robbery arrived at that time and took Reynolds in custody. Reynolds admitted the theft.

Upon searching the man at the city jail, the Chief took the two rings taken from Gerster and a tie clasp, found in the man’s stockings. Also found on his person were further cheap rings, two bottles of wine, some money, and a bus ticket to Faribault.

Chief Klotzbeacher, after checking with the Sheriff’s office, Harbor Light Mission, and Minneapolis Police department found only one prior arrest for drunkenness.

In view of the fact that Gerster did not wish to prosecute, Klotzbeacher placed Reynolds on a bus for a return to Minneapolis.

75 years ago

From the Nov. 26, 1937

edition of the

Dakota County Tribune

Liquor issue on election ballot

The liquor issue was injected into the annual village election when a petition, signed by 10 voters, was presented to Mae Ackerman, village recorder, Thursday night of last week. The petition asked for a vote on whether or not the council of the village shall grant licenses for the sale of intoxicating liquor.

The proposal will be printed on a special ballot to be handed to voters at the annual election Tuesday, Dec. 7....

A liquor store was voted into Farmington in December 1934, by a vote of 308 to 246, a margin of 62 votes, a total of 576 ballots being cast.

No one has filed for office up to Wednesday of this week.

The terms of Mayor W. McHugh and Councilman George Manners expire this year. The deadline for filing is 10 p.m. Saturday evening, Nov. 27.

Throng hears Stassen fire opening gun in campaign

A civil service bill which would cause state government employees to be appointed on their merit rather than on political pull, is the cornerstone on which Harold E. Stassen, Dakota County attorney, seeks the G.O.P. nomination for governor, according to the opening campaign gun fired at the banquet attended by upwards of 700 persons from this county and all parts of the state at the Hastings High School auditorium Thursday night of last week.

The 30-minute speech, packed with his well-known sincerity and forcefulness, was broadcast over WCCO....

After praising the Minnesota Federation of Labor and League of Women Voters for their efforts in trying to pass a suitable civil service bill, he blasted the C.I.O and charged the present state administration with supporting irresponsible labor leaders....

Big hits on the speaking program were two farmers from the end of the county – Ed. J. Thye of Sciota and Mrs. Milton Schonning, Eureka township.

Packing a farmer punch, Mr. Thye “brought down the house” when he said he was anxious to “leave for future generations as good a government as we had when we came into the world.”

The state for some time, he said, “has been afflicted with a political fever but I know Stassen has the ability and courage to nurse and bring our state back to normalcy.”

Mrs. Milton Schonning, the 14th of a family of 16 children, said Mr. Stassen was a man in whom she had confidence, one who would fight to put the farm on equality with industry....

Rev. H.W. Neunaber, pastor of St. John’s Lutheran church of Rich Valley, said our country needed four cornerstones in its foundation to make a good government: (1). The home; (2) the school; (3) separation of church and state; (4) sound, sane government and sound, sane leadership. He said he believes that in Mr. Stassen we have the man who will provide the type of leadership to insure that kind of government.

100 years ago

From the Nov. 22, 1912

edition of the

Dakota County Tribune

Don’t touch him

Farmington Postmaster H.H. Judson has been such that post office patrons would not hear to a change.

With a change from a Republican to a Democratic administration, there are many who may wonder what affect it will have on the Farmington post office situation.

For the benefit of those who may not know, we will say it will have none.

It has been 31 years since Judson received the appointment as postmaster, and not withstanding this will be the fifth change in the federal administration. Mr. Judson has continued to hold office.

We understand that a petition for a change in postmasters was started under the earlier part of Grover Cleveland’s administration, but no one seemed dissatisfied with the service; no one signed the petition and the aspirant become discouraged withdrew from the race before the project had gained any headway....

Three years ago, in order to show their appreciation for the excellent service he has given, they had arranged to give him a reception to his honor, They used funds collected from admirers to buy a silver loving cup to be presented to him at the reception, the evening of 28 years after he had taken office.

A day or two before the reception, Judson received an inkling of what was to take place and he denounced the project to such a degree that the affair was declared off and the cup returned to the manufacturer.

There may be a more faithful post master in the employ of Uncle Sam, but we doubt it. But his efficiency and untiring effort to please, Farmington has enjoyed a service during these years that cannot be excelled – hundreds who praise him, while there’s none to grumble.

Tags: news, farmington