The Scriver Scribbler Winter 2006-2007

NORTHFIELD

HISTORICALS O C I E T Y

THECRIVER SCRIBBLERS A quarterly publication of the Northfield Historical Society

408 Division Street • Northfield, MN 55057 • 507/645-9268www.northfieldhistory.org • [email protected]

Winter 2006/07

The Northfield Historical Society’s winter lineup of eventspromises to make being “home for the holidays” a heart-warming experience indeed!

Scheduled for Thursday, December 7, Winter Walk –one of Northfield’s most charming traditions – transformsour picturesque town into an animated Currier and Ivesprint, complete with holiday lights, carolers, entertainmentand refreshments. As in the past, the Northfield HistoricalSociety is offering FREE PHOTOS taken with the world-renowned James-Younger Gang. The Defeat of Jesse JamesDay Committee will do the honors from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00p.m., providing your complimentary photo on the spot.Prior to the photo sessions, the NHS will offer free tours ofthe Museum from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Also during Winter Walk we’ll have author John J. Koblason hand to sign copies of Faithful Unto Death, consideredthe most authoritative book to date on the history of theattempted Bank Raid. In addition, fifteen-year-old authorVictoria Kasten, creator of the remarkable Mighty Stallionbook series for elementary schoolchildren, will be avail-able to discuss her stories. Artist Derk Hansen, who hascaptured key aspects of Northfield history in his series ofnine prints, will also be on hand in the Museum Store tosign his work.

Inside this issue…

Holiday Events to back page

From the Interim Director.....................................Page 2

Editor’s Perspective: Taking Stock .........................Page 3

Looking for Committee Members.........................Page 3

Holiday Shopping...................................................Page 4

Cemetery Stories......................................................Page5

NHS Auction Wrap-up ..........................................Page 6

New Member Benefits ............................................Page 7

With so much happening at the Society during WinterWalk, be sure to stop at the Scriver Building on BridgeSquare! Highlighting the evening will be free cider, coffeeand Gloria Powell’s famous home-made cookies.

NEW! Winter Stories with Ann North and FriendsIf you and your family enjoyed the NHS’s CemeteryStories in October, make plans now to attend our firstannual fireside chat with historic Northfielders. Scheduledfor 7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 18 at MillstreamCommons, it features two of our favorite townspeople,Ann North (Marion Hvistendahl) and H. T. Ytterboe (JeffSauve), who reminisce about their colorful lives in early

Holiday Events Enliven Hometown History

NORTHFIELD

HISTORICALS O C I E T Y

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THE SCRIVER SCRIBBLER

THECRIVER SCRIBBLERS A quarterly publication of the

Northfield Historical Society

Mission StatementTo be the primary communityresource that honors, preserves,

and interprets Northfield’s uniqueplace in history, building a bridge

from our past to our future.

Vision StatementA Northfield whose vibrant her-itage frames its exciting future.

Editor:Gail Jones-Hansen

Writers:Joy Riggs

Dick WatersGail Jones Hansen

Photography:Griff Wigley

Northfield Historical SocietyBoard of Directors

Scott Elmer, PresidentPat Murtha, Treasurer

Debby Larsen, SecretaryRay Coudret

Chip DeMannChris Ellison

Rich FalckDan Freeman

Eric Fure-SlocumGail Jones HansenDeanna Kuennen

Michelle MillenackerSusannah Ottaway

Mary TitusEarl Weinmann

Rob Schanilec, Past President

Hayes Scriven,Interim Executive Director

Northfield Historical Society408 Division Street

Northfield, MN 55057507-645-9268

[email protected]

Production and PrintingBy All Means Graphics

18 Bridge Square, Northfield507-663-7937

From the Interim Director…Thanks to all loyal Scribbler readers for your continued sup-port! We are very appreciative of your involvement in theHistorical Society.

This is my first official message to the entire membership. Sincethe last Scribbler was published, our previous ExecutiveDirector resigned. I would like to wish Mark Fagerwick the best

and thank him for all he has taught me. Shortly after Mark’s departure – infact, the day the last Scribbler came out – I was appointed Interim ExecutiveDirector. So I would like to take a minute to explain a little about who I am,where I came from, and how I got to this point.

I was born in Minneapolis, but grew up in Nerstrand, and my earliest memo-ries were of coming to Northfield for everything! One of my favorite thingswas being in the kiddy parade during the Defeat of Jesse James Days. So Igrew up surrounded by the story of the attempted robbery. I always thoughthow interesting it was to have something like that happen in a town so closeto where I lived. I graduated from Kenyon-Wanamingo High School andattended the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD), where I majored in his-tory. I wrote and received a grant my senior year to work at the Richard I.Bong World War II Heritage Center, a museum in Superior, Wisconsin. There,I was part of a team that developed an exhibit entitled Holidays on theHomefront. After that experience, I knew I wanted to work in a small townhistorical society or museum. When I graduated from UMD, I found a jobopening here. Two weeks later I was hired and have been at the NHS eversince.

Much has happened during the last quarter at the Society. We had the GrandOpening of our permanent exhibit The Early Years of Northfield. Chroniclingthe first forty years of Northfield history, the exhibit forms the foundation forfuture window displays and rotating exhibits. I would like to thank all thevolunteers who helped make this exhibit a reality, and I extend a specialthanks to Northfield Rotary for their generous gift in support of the exhibit.We also had a very successful Defeat of Jesse James Days. The museum sawover 1,000 visitors over the four-day celebration. Once again, we could nothave pulled off this event without the invaluable assistance of our hardwork-ing volunteers.

Looking forward for NHS, I can only say the sky is the limit! We are rightnow in the first phase of production in our online timeline of Northfield his-tory. This website will be completely interactive; users will be able to submittheir own stories to the timeline for generations to come. It will also be aplace to discuss and debate Northfield’s history. In addition, there are plansfor rotating exhibit/window displays and other programs on our community’shistory.

I encourage everyone to learn more about the Northfield Historical Society –its unique past and its bright future. I am glad to be a part of it.

Hayes Scriven, Interim Director

Hayes Scriven

TAKING STOCKWho doesn’t love a Northfield autumn?After warm summers that invite indo-lence and vacations that disrupt theordinary rhythm of things, a northcountry fall is a time to get busy, putour physical and psychological houses

in order, and take stock of our lives.

Each year around Labor Day, I embark on a frenzied and(to my husband) slightly scary course of domestic pro-ductivity never witnessed in July. I retreat indoors, and dowhat I’ve avoided all year: clean out closets, attack themessy basement, scrub tile grout. I organize things sothoroughly that no one can find anything. I dig outuntried recipes I’ve saved all year and buy exotic ingredi-ents to make them. I stock up on staples, too, imitatingthe frenetic squirrels on my lawn who are burying every-thing in sight. I am, of course, doing in my own way whatall good Minnesotans do: obeying the biological impera-tive to hoard, nest and dig in for the long winter.

But as the year wanes, I also perform a kind of spiritualhousecleaning, reflecting on where I’ve been and whereI’m going, what I’ve done and what I have yet to accom-plish. For as surely as spring is about rebirth, fall is aboutthe inevitability of change. It’s about how we grapple withthe passing of another year, with intimations of mortalityas pungent as the scent of burning leaves. As we contem-plate the ending of things, fall paradoxically gives us theopportunity to sum up and start over – to literally turnover a new leaf.

And it’s in the autumn that secular and religious holidaysloom large, demanding our good cheer. To survive all thatcelebrating, we need to know what we’re happy about.How have we evolved over the past year as business pro-fessionals, parents, humanitarians? Have we made theright choices? Are we on a path to becoming our truestselves, or have we veered off course?

Autumn, in particular, is a time to live mindfully. Thismeans developing better self-awareness and greater skill inmeeting the needs of our families and our community.Engaging with the community informs our understandingof our place within it. Becoming involved in the HistoricalSociety helps us interpret our lives in Northfield in termsof the thoughts, feelings, and actions of the people whopreceded us. Discovering similarities between ourselvesand those individuals gives us a feeling of connectedness,a sense of home.

Ultimately, it’s this year-end taking stock – assessing wherewe are in our lives and in our community — that fuels uswhen it’s zero degrees (twenty below wind chill) and thecar won’t start. It’s what keeps us going when one gray daystretches into another and we no longer recall what sunon skin feels like. We then think back to the golden, pur-poseful days of autumn, and remember.

THE SCRIVER SCRIBBLER Winter 2006/2007

Editor’s Perspective

Gail Jones Hansen

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We’re Looking for a Few Good Committee Members…The NHS is seeking to fill many seats in our very activecommittee structure. Five of our committees need yoursupport! No specialized experience is required; we’relooking for your enthusiasm, energy and fresh ideas. Allages are welcome.

If you enjoy retail environments, we encourage you tojoin the Museum Store Committee, where you canorder and manage inventory and help with merchan-dising displays. The NHS also offers opportunities toassist the Membership Committee with solicitationdrives and community outreach. Those interested incommunicating information about our mission andactivities to local and regional audiences may want toconsider becoming involved in the Marketing and PRCommittee.

Our Education Committee needs your help in develop-ing innovative ways to inform people of all ages aboutNorthfield’s unique history. We also are looking forArchives Committee members to explore and docu-ment our fascinating collections.

If you’d like to make new friends, give back to the com-munity and help Northfield preserve its past, join acommittee today!

I have really enjoyed my work as muse-um store manager these past twomonths. It has been a pleasure to workwith Hayes Scriven and Gloria Powelland all the wonderful volunteers whomake the store and museum an excitingplace to be.

If you haven’t been into the museumfor awhile, I urge you to stop by for a

visit some time soon. The results of the remodeling andreorganization of the store, and the outstanding new EarlyYears of Northfield exhibit, are truly exciting. Please comesee for yourself!

We have added new merchandise to the museum store,and we are analyzing the current inventory and makingdecisions about future items to sell. Our goal is to haveless “generic” and more “specific” merchandise for sale.By this I mean more items related toNorthfield and the James-Younger bank raid, and feweritems that could be pur-chased in any book store orgift shop in Minnesota. Weare working with some localartists and craft people tocreate more of these uniqueitems. If you have anyideas or suggestions, pleasecall the museum (645-9268) and speak witheither me or Gloria.

Our inventory includesbooks, clothing, toys and

games, and much other merchandise. New items for theholiday shopping season are geared to all budgets andinclude magnets, spoons, shot glasses, and cribbageboards (all with a Northfield or James Gang logo), as wellas a terrific new video about the famous bank raid that Iknow you and others will enjoy. All these items makegreat gifts for your family and friends—and for you, too!

We also have a section of used, rare, and out-of-printbooks in the museum store. We need your help. If youhave any books about Northfield or Minnesota historyor related subjects, please consider donating them to themuseum. If we do not have the book, we would like toadd it to our archive collection. If it is a duplicate, we willsell it in the museum shop. Of course, all money raised inthe shop goes to support the Historical Society. Anybooks or artifacts of local or regional interest would bemost appreciated! Just drop them off at the museumstore (with your name, address, and phone number) orcall me at 645-9268 and I will make arrangements. Anydonations will be appraised and you will receive an item-ized tax deduction.

Please keep us in mindas you plan your holi-day shopping. We hopeto see you soon in ournewly remodeled, reor-ganized, and re-mer-chandised store!

Do Your Holiday Shopping at the Museum Store!

Dick Waters


DECEMBER SPECIALS!Northfield Founders

John & Ann North T-Shirts 10% OFF

Northfield StationeryCharming 1873 Street Scene 10% OFF

Please view our selection ofrare and out-of-print books.

PLUS CLEARANCE MERCHANDISE

20% - 50% OFF!

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Cemetery Stories – Haunted History at Its BestBy Joy Riggs

Ten Northfield historical figures appeared at their gravesiteson a moonlit Oct. 7 evening to regale visitors with stories oftragedy, courage, honor and ordinary life.

“Under the Full Moon Cemetery Stories,” sponsored by theNorthfield Historical Society, drew about 300 people to OakLawn Cemetery on Wall Street Road. Dressed in periodcostumes and standing near gravestones illuminated bytorches, actors explained the roles their characters played inNorthfield’s past. Several of the historical figures wereacquainted with each other during their lifetimes, and theactors highlighted those connections during their perform-ances.

Northfield Historical Society Interim Executive DirectorHayes Scriven was pleasantly surprised with the turnout.“We were planning for 200, and 300 came; I was justamazed,” he said. “Everyone had fun. There were a lot ofkids, and I was happy to see that.”

The NHS Junior Curators did the research for the presenta-tions, but the actors wrote their own scripts to suit theiracting styles and their characters’ personalities. Four toursoriginally were scheduled for the evening, but because ofthe large number of attendees, two tours were added. Thelast group consisted mostly of local Girl Scouts and theirfamilies.

“I thought it was amazing because it brought history to lifefor the girls,” commented Kelly Lynn Stanton-Nutt, leaderof Troop 2642. “I wanted to do the tour as a steppingstoneto our local lore badge, to foster a relationship between thegirls and the history of the town. The next step will be togo to the museum itself and tour it.”

Stanton-Nutt, who grew up in Northfield, said she recog-nized names like Ytterboe because of their connection toNorthfield buildings, but she didn’t know the stories behindthe names.

Stanton-Nutt’s 10-year-old daughter, Alexa Nutt, said shehad never been to a cemetery before, and she expected itto be spookier. Her favorite part of the tour was hearingthe story of Henry Wheeler, the medical student whokilled a robber during the James-Younger Gang’s attempt-ed bank raid.

“He was a really good storyteller, and he was funny,” shesaid of Matt Hagen, who portrayed Wheeler.

Girl Scout Greta Hughes said her favorite presentation wasthat of Joel and Gertrude Heatwole, portrayed by DanFreeman and Marie Gery. Shortly after Joel Heatwolearrived in Northfield in 1884, he purchased the NorthfieldNews and made it the leading weekly paper in the state. He

also was elected to Congress four times. His wife, Gertrude,was an Archibald of Dundas milling fame. “It was the firsttime Northfield and Dundas were brought together, andwe’ve been struggling to do it ever since,” Freeman jokedduring the presentation.

Other historical figures portrayed during the tour were:

• A.R. Manning (Bob Phelps), the hardware store ownerwho fought back against the James-Younger Gang. Heexplained that his first wife had died during childbirth,and that his two daughters went on to graduate fromCarleton College.

• Professor Halvor T. Ytterboe (Jeff Sauve), who saved St.Olaf College twice, once by traveling the countryside toraise money for the school during an economic depres-sion, and once by personally disinfecting a dormitorywith formaldehyde after a scarlet fever epidemic. Ytterboedied from formaldehyde poisoning. His wife, Elise, wasthe niece of Thorbjorn and Anna Mohn.

• Thorbjorn Mohn (Glenn Switzer), the first president ofSt. Olaf College and the pastor of St. John’s LutheranChurch. His wife, Anna (Michelle Millenacker) told ofshopping downtown for meat on Sept. 8, 1876, the dayafter the attempted bank raid. She took a shortcut downan alleyway and saw people setting up the bodies of thetwo dead robbers to be photographed. “I went righthome, and we did not have meat that night,” Millenackersaid.

• Carleton professor George Huntington (HermanTransberg), who wrote Robber and Hero, and his secondwife, Margaret Evans Huntington (Mary Tulp), a Carletonprofessor who worked for women’s suffrage. Tulp notedthat her character was 78 years old when she got the rightto vote.

• Felicity, a fictional child created to represent all the chil-dren who lived at the Odd Fellows Home, which closed in1957. Portrayed by Angela Elmer, Felicity explained thatmany of the children at the home weren’t orphans, butwere placed there by single parents who couldn’t care forthem.

This was the second year that the Historical Society hashosted the Cemetery Tours. Scriven commented that theevent will return in 2007. “When you get 300 people, youcan’t not do it again. It will definitely happen next year.”

Joy Riggs is a freelance writer based inNorthfield. You can read more of her workat www.joyriggs.net.


For those of us who experienced the 60’s the first timearound – and those of us who didn’t – the NorthfieldHistorical Society revived this lost era in swinging style atour sixth annual fundraising auction, held on Saturday,November 4 at the Grand Event Center. The lively MagicalHistory Tour encouraged spirited attire, and attendeesresponded enthusiastically, sporting psychedelic tee shirtsand dresses, love beads, peace signs and go-go boots.

Unlike their 60’s counterparts, however, these latter-dayhippies pulled full wallets out of their embroidered jeansand emptied them on behalf of NHS. Nearly 100 peoplepattended the event, which raised more than $11,000.

As our largest fundraiser of the year, this auction helps tofund educational programs for hundreds of students annu-ally, and supports the general operations of the Societyincluding the exhibit program, Museum Store, and specialevents. Generous – and often quirky – donations of auctionitems from the community made for an entertaining“FUNdraiser.” Where else can you bid on a night ofbowling with a local bank president, “magic” brown-ies, and snow shoveling courtesy of the Society’sinterim executive director?

With the help of many volunteers, this eventenabled loyal NHS supporters to dust off theirmini-skirts and bell-bottoms and bid on new andvintage items, one-of-a-kind services, and gift cardsfor dining and entertainment. The silent auctionbegan at 6:30 p.m., followed by a costume contest

and live auction with veteran auctioneer Ed Kuhlman, whomade a spectacular entrance in his own Magic Bus. Liveauction items included at-home dinners hosted by the pres-idents of St. Olaf and Carleton, an open cockpit airplaneride, a tugboat excursion, 40 gallons of black paint (whichcould be purchased for delivery to a “friend’s” address) andother unusual offerings. New this year were “Fund-A-Need”items, which gave the audience an opportunity to targettheir dollars to support specific NHS causes. The eveningended with dancing and karaoke.

We thank everyone who donated items, services and time tothis important event. We also extend our appreciation

to the generous people who bid on and purchasedgoods to show their support for the NHS.

Next year, you’ll have an opportunity to “Bond”with other history buffs at our 007 Casino Royale

Fundraiser. Start saving those donationitems now!

WELCOME Members!Welcome to all of our new members, and a big THANKYOU to our old friends for renewing their NHS member-ships! Should you wish to make an additional donation,please consider upgrading your membership (see articlefacing page). If you have any questions about your mem-bership status, or to notify us of changes in your address orcontact information, please call the NHS at 507-645-9268.

Renewing MembersAnne Bretts and Wendell EllisAnn & Brendon EtterGilbert FeltonT. Willard HunterMyrna JohnsonJoan KarkAllyn & Deanna KuennenEdward KlinkhammerPatrick and Dana MurthaKatharine PetersonMike & Edie PiperPaul Scott

Mary TitusJames & Martha Waddell

New MembersMarjorie BestAlfred BrozMary CaseyDefeat of Jesse James Days

CommitteeMarjorie Bingham & Thomas EganCraig HallHayes & Jenny Scriven

Magical History Tour is One Groovy Trip

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A New Way to Give…FUND-A-NEED!

Fund-A-Need raises money for critical items needed bythe Historical Society that are often overlooked due tobudget limitations. It’s a convenient way to earmarkyour contribution for specific items and programs thatfurther our mission. Consider giving today! Please pickone or more items below and send your check to theNHS with your contact information.

Frame for Rotating Exhibit .........................................$50Office Chair ..................................................................$70New Edition of Museum Catalog ...............................$70Digital Image Storage System......................................$30Archival Supplies – Film/Sleeves.................................$35Flat Files, Oversized Documents.................................$50Archive Shelving...........................................................$80Digital Camera ...........................................................$400Photo Printer..............................................................$350Program Sponsorship ..................................................$50

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Check Out Our New Member Benefits

Fixed Income (65+) $35• Scriver Scribbler mailed to your

home quarterly• 10% discount in Museum Store• Invitation to special events

and programs• Free admission to museum & events

Family $50• Scriver Scribbler mailed to your


and programs• Free admission to museum & events

Building $100• Scriver Scribbler mailed to your


and programs• Free admission to museum & events• Reduced fee for access to

research room

Patron $250• Scriver Scribbler mailed to your


and programs• Free admission to museum & events• Free access to research room• Reduced fee for research assistance

Business $250• Scriver Scribbler mailed to your

business quarterly• Free admission to museum & events

for your employees, at designatedtimes

• Free advice on preserving documents& researching history of business

• Business name on our website

Sustaining $500• Scriver Scribbler mailed to your


and programs• Free admission to museum & events• Free access to research room• Five free hours of research assistance

Recently, our Membership Committee slightly revised the benefits that correspond to the various membership levels.We still have the standard six annual membership levels, as well as our Lifetime Membership. Each membership levelnow has different “perks,” as described below.

With your NHS membership, you also receive benefitsat affiliated organizations in Rice County: RiceCounty Historical Society (RCHS), 3 R LandmarkSociety (Lonsdale), Dundas Historical Society,Morristown Historical Society. These benefits include10% off at the RCHS museum store, half-price admis-sion to all facilities, half-price research at the RCHS,membership rates extended to all affiliated/chaptermembers for events at all institutions, invitations tothe RCHS annual meeting mailed to allaffiliated/chapter members.

If you have any questions or concerns about these newbenefits, please contact the Northfield Historical Societyat 507-645-9268. Become a member today – fill out thiscoupon or join online at www.northfieldhistory.org.

Lifetime $1000

Become a member of the Northfield Historical Society today

Help “Make History” in Northfield!❏ YES! I’d like to help “make history” in Northfield!Enclosed is my check for a one-year members in the NHS.

(Check one)❏ Senior (65+) $35 ❏ Family – $50 ❏ Building – $100

❏ Patron – $250 ❏ Sustaining – $500 ❏ Life – $1,000

Name_________________________________________

Address _______________________________________

Telephone _____________________________________

Email _________________________________________Please enclose this form with your check made out to theNorthfield Historical Society and mail to the NHS at 408Division Street, Northfield MN 55057. Or come visit us –we’re in the Scriver Building on Bridge Square!

• Scriver Scribbler mailed toyour home quarterly

• 15% discount in Museum Store

• Invitation to special events and programs• Free admission to museum & events• Free access to research room

• Free research assistance• Special Lifetime Membership meetings• Special membership card


NORTHFIELD

HISTORICALSOCIETY

www.northfieldhistory.org

408 Division StreetNorthfield,MN 55057

Non-ProfitOrganization

U.S.Postage PAID

Standard APermit No.166

Northfield,MN 55057

Northfield Historical Society Calendar of Upcoming EventsJoin us for a heartwarming holiday season!

Northfield. Winter Stories with Ann North and Friendsconcludes with Mrs. North’s recollections of her first win-ter in Northfield with her husband, Northfield founderJohn North. Space will be limited, so reserve your placeearly for this sure-to-be-popular event.

Make a Date for the Sweetheart Dance!Mark your calendar now to attend our new SweetheartDance on February 22 at the Grand Event Center . . . anostalgic, post-Valentine’s-Day tribute to the romance ofthe dressed-up Evening Out. You’ll dance to swing, coun-try and pop from a live band, and enjoy drinks and horsd’oeuvres in the vintage ambiance of the Grand. More

details on this exciting event will be available after the firstof the year.

“Way Back! It’s Off the Wall . . .” Baseball TalesIt’s the great American past-time and our country’s mostelegant contribution to sports . . . baseball! Master story-teller Will Healy of “Over and Back” fame emcees an all-star line-up of the best (and mostly true) Northfield base-ball stories. Local folks with strong ties to Northfield base-ball will tell their humorous, historical, and poignant tales. . . ideal entertainment for the whole family.

Scheduled for April 12, “Way Back! It’s Off the Wall . . .”promises to kick off spring baseball season in unique fash-ion. Watch upcoming Scriver Scribblers for details!

Holiday Events continued from front page

Thursday, December 7 – Winter WalkFree Museum Tours: 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.Photos: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.Scriver Building, Bridge SquareHoliday lights, carolers, entertainment, refreshments, FREEPHOTOS with the James-Younger Gang. Author John J.Koblas will sign copies of Faithful Unto Death.

Thursday, January 18 – Winter Stories with AnnNorth and Friends7:00 p.m.Millstream CommonsFireside chat with historic Northfielders.

Thursday, February 22 – Sweetheart Dance!Grand Event CenterA nostalgic, post-Valentine’s-Day tribute to the romance of thedressed-up Evening Out. Live music, dancing, drinks and horsd’oeuvres.

Thursday, April 12 – “Way Back! It’s Off the Wall . . .”Master storyteller Will Healy of “Over and Back” fame emceesan all-star line-up of the best (and mostly true) Northfieldbaseball stories.

Museum Store/Self-Guided ToursTuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.Sunday, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. • Closed Monday

The Scriver Scribbler Winter 2006-2007

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