Column - 1912: Douglas County voters support Woodrow Wilson

Talk about it

The following is a collection of stories and other items that were included in Alexandria newspapers over the years.

100 YEARS AGO

NOVEMBER 1912

There were 797 voters in Douglas County who cast their votes for Woodrow Wilson for president. Nationwide, Wilson received 415 electoral votes. Theodore Roosevelt got 104 and Howard Taft only 12… Big Eagle Clothing Company is offering reduced prices on boys’ suits and trousers, including all wool knicker trousers for 50 cents, 75 cents and $1. Double-breasted two-piece suits with lined knickerbockers are $3.50 and $4… Forty-four years ago, J.R. Brown, an early pioneer, paid $14.50 for his stagecoach ride from St. Cloud to Osakis. His first Douglas County dinner was in the Lake Hotel and he said he’d never tasted a better meal. Now he is back for a visit and another meal at the Lake. Although the hotel is in a new location, the food is still just as good.

50 YEARS AGO

NOVEMBER 1962

The expansion of Bethany Home nursing facilities was assured when the Public Works Administration in Washington, D.C. reported their application for funds was approved under the recent passing of the Accelerated Public Works Program… Twenty-four hours after the election, the state race for governor is still undecided. At this point, with several precincts unreported, fewer than 30 votes separates Gov. Elmer Anderson and Lt. Gov. Karl Rolvaag… Russell Dau presented the REA trophy for “Outstanding 4-H Club of the Year” to Lydon Sletto, member of the Moe 4-H Club… KXRA Radio, the “right side of the dial,” has boosted its power to 1,000 watts… National Food Stores: five-rib pork roast, 39 cents a pound; Florida ruby red grapefruit, 10 for 49 cents.

25 YEARS AGO

NOVEMBER 1987

About 350 Jefferson High School students stayed home Tuesday to watch the Minnesota Twins World Series victory parade on TV. They were placed on detention; not for watching the game but for staying home without a valid excuse. Parents had asked for and were denied excuses because school policy only allows them to leave school for pre-planned family activities. Tuesday’s last minute, “Let’s celebrate the victory” situation did not meet that policy. Principal Keith Redford emphasized, “Parents and students must realize we cannot operate a school if students are allowed to leave at will.”… Fred Bursch, president of Bursch Travel, Inc., with offices in Alexandria, St. Cloud, Little Falls and Granite Falls, has been named president of the Upper Midwest Chapter of the American Society of Travel Agents.

10 YEARS AGO

NOVEMBER 2002

Citing concerns about health and public safety and the fact that the pool leaks hundreds of gallons of water a month, the Lakes Area Recreation board will close the swimming pool on November 22… Six and a half hours after Tim Pawlenty was declared winner of the state’s highest office, Governor Jesse Ventura brought him into the office to begin the transition… Military Moments in the Life of Lt. Colonel Bill Haskins by Dori Otterson was featured on the Lifestyle page… The new license plates for veterans feature a United States flag and the legend “Proud to be a Veteran.” Its purchase will simultaneously donate funds to the World War II Veterans Memorial Fund.

###

Marge Van Gorp of Alexandria is a regular contributing columnist to the Echo Press Opinion page.

Tags: opinion, columns