According to fifth-century Irish folklore, women were allowed to propose marriage to men every four years on Leap Day (February 29). Some 14 centuries later, leap year frivolity, socializing and romantic role reversal was alive in the United States, including Houston County, Minnesota. The leap year of 1888 was only days away when the last issue in 1887 of the Caledonia Journal newspaper declared, “when leap year comes around all newspapers of any pretensions publish a list of the available bachelors in their immediate vicinity, giving a short sketch of their personal charms, business and other qualities.”
How many local ladies were there, languishing without romance? Caledonia, with an approximate population of 900 in 1888, had enough male matrimonial targets to merit the newspaper saying, “Wishing to appear in line with the modern customs of journalism, as well as wanting to serve as a guide to those of the gentler sex with matrimonial aspirations, upon whom this year devolves the delicate duty of “popping the question,” …. A list of 15 coy Caledonia bachelors was published, only some of whom are rehashed here:
“Andy Koob, the affable demonstrator of weights and measures in his father’s business establishment, is not averse to be in the company of young ladies, but he is hard to catch, because he knows they are all after him.
“Hubert Brimeyer, exemplary habits, an excellent mechanic and leader of the cornet band. The lady who succeeds in capturing him, will be lucky.
“Dr. G. H. Belding, surgeon dentist, pedagogue and musician. Would undoubtedly make an excellent husband, but is rather shy.
“Tim Qninlan, the gentleman with the French accent in his speech who officiates behind the counters of Mr. Koob’s store, stands so high in the estimation of the young ladies that anything we might say in his favor would be entirely superfluous.
“Herb. Belding is one of the few of our young men who sport a silk tile (tie), Prince Albert coat and “sorrel burnsides.” Herb is a good, industrious boy and is at present engaged as teacher in one of the rural school districts.
“Knud Dahle the hardware merchant, is richly endowed with the most desirable qualifications for a good husband. He owns and operates a prosperous business, is gentle and obliging in his ways, but rather shy and not easily caught.
“Chris. Gronvold is a general favorite with the young ladies. Good-looking, dressed in the height of fashion, raven-colored mustache – but he never bangs his hair. He is a man whom a lady would like to catch on first sight.
“James Abbotts … is at present suffering from an injured foot, but will in due time be ready to consider proposals.
“Billy O’Brien, as yet, considers himself a too tender flower to run the risk of being plucked by the eager hand of some adventurous female to be placed in the matrimonial back-yard. To escape from such danger he has resolved to start for Notre Dame College, Ind., on next Monday.”
As it soon turned out, there was no shortage of local ladies languishing without romance. A month later, the newspaper apologized for taking so long (crowded with work) to respond to requests from “lady aspirants” to publish another list. The Journal added a dozen candidates on January 25, 1888. A few were:
“Henry Pirsch, proprietor of the Caledonia Marble Works, young, a good workman, an excellent mimic of the Negro dialect, a good dancer and a general favorite with the young ladies.. He went to Wisconsin this fall to spend the winter, but when leap year came around he returned, for the substantial reason, no doubt, that he preferred to be plucked by a Minnesota school-marm rather than a belle of the Badger state.
“John Kemp, the trusted clerk of Dahle Bros., quiet, faithful and industrious. The girl who captures him needn’t necessarily be an expert in the culinary art, because John can teach her all about this himself, having taken a thorough course in cookery at a hotel.
“Chris. Blexrud, young, jovial, good-looking and good-natured. Though young, he is not in the least afraid of ladies, and will entertain proposals without reluctance. He is a hard man to beat at a game of seven-up.
“Johnny Hickey, the man of general usefulness at the City Hotel, does not profess to be a John L. Sullivan, a Broadway dude nor a candidate for President on the women’s rights ticket. A steady and faithful worker, a saver of his earnings, has taken out a policy of insurance upon his life and the woman who gets him can rest assured of being well provided for.”
While the ladies were clamoring for more, some gents thus far overlooked, self-nominated. Two weeks/issues later, the newspaper reported a list of six bachelor names that had been left overnight on the office latch-string with a note reading, “We think we are just as good looking as those other fellows, and would like to have you pay a little attention to us also. We want a woman just as much as anybody else and we hope that you wouldn’t class us as half-brothers.”
“The name of Andrew Kress is found at the head of the list. He is a gentleman that does not attempt to display any of the airs of a Broadway dude. He is a good singer, an industrious laborer, strong and robust and has arrived at that period in life when a man would like to consolidate his fortunes with a good and affectionate wife. It is said that he has some aspirations for the “Kaiser-ship” of Caledonia.
John Qualey needs no introduction from us, as he continues the popular favorite of the girls. He is a “sly-coon,” and not easily caught.
“Hans Christenson, chief manager of the Union Hall dispensary and spiritual museum. Attention to business, good-natured and good-looking. If he isn’t soon caught it is not our fault.”
Over a span of seven weeks, three issues had listed a total of 33 Caledonians worth capturing.
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