Today we have before us a postcard sized “WANTED” bulletin for the arrest of a Mr. Helmer Leander Johnson! While there is little information at all to indicate the exact offenses of which Mr. Johnson could be guilty, of one thing is certain, Sheriff E. K. Blexrud provided the public with an in-depth physical description of Mr. Johnson plus an intriguingly, delightful image of … [Read more...]

Aaron L. Sleyster’s photo studio stocked within its walls a myriad of items for sale. We can only imagine what it was like to have had the privilege of purchasing merchandise from him. The list would have been truly extraordinary and included: books of poetry, paintings, cabinet photographs of adults, children, babies, landscapes, cityscapes, buildings, bridges; and … [Read more...]

To be honest with you I think this is probably the most exciting, unbelievable, title for any column that I have ever been a part of – thrilling, to say the least! Once again, we have none other than Flip Huggenvik to thank for this historic treasure! If he had not shared this extraordinary narrative and the images accompanying it, none of us would have ever been able to … [Read more...]

By Dianne Ruud Today’s column marks the fifth and final segment of the fabulous “Daniel Dayton Family Story,” authored by my good friend “Flip” (Brian) Huggenvik! Last week we enjoyed seeing family pictures of Aaron and Rosalie Dayton and their children, Emily and John. We left off as Flip was giving many details of the Dayton family members lives as they matured and moved … [Read more...]

We left off last week in this fabulous story authored by “Flip” (Brian Huggenvik), where Daniel Dayton’s son, Aaron is writing a letter from the steamboat named Magenta to his brother Zara, who is contemplating fighting in the Civil War. The last lines of Aaron’s letter to Zara last week were: “If you don’t volunteer you will likely be drafted...” and thus we continue! Aaron … [Read more...]

Continuing on today where Daniel Dayton’s granddaughter, De Orra Dayton,  (her father was Zara Dayton) left off last week. Once again, please note, this pioneer story was authored by my good friend, “Flip” (Brian Huggenvik. He has done an outstanding job, educating us about the challenges our forefathers faced as they tamed the wilderness of Fillmore County over a century … [Read more...]

For the next several weeks we will be traveling on a journey that will take us far back into the history of Fillmore County, Minn. We begin our trek 3 1/2 miles northwest of beautiful Harmony, Minn. The year is 1855 and a family headed by Daniel Dayton has just arrived on the scene! Only one year before their arrival the Dubuque-St. Paul Trail had been established and Harmony … [Read more...]

By Dianne Ruud As promised, today we are enjoying the third and final advertisement for the wonderful fishing lures once manufactured in Preston by the iconic, “Lazy Dazy Bait Company!” Large, bold letters spelling out the “DAZY SPINRITE SPINNER,” cover a big fish at the top of the advertisement! Beneath that phrase it says: “use for spinning, casting, fly rod, trolling.” … [Read more...]

By Dianne Ruud Today we are looking at the second advertisement for The Lazy Dazy Bait Company that was once a thriving business in Preston. This cool ad is done in green and white and makes use of every inch of the sheet to put the word out for the merits of the Lazy Dazy Lures. Bold, black letters state: “LAZY DAZY” is the “SUCCESSOR TO NATURE’S MINNOW” and that it, … [Read more...]