A half century ago, “The people of Houston figuratively rolled out the red carpet,” stated the Houston (Minn.) Signal newspaper on May 4, 1973. The occasion was a weekend celebration, welcoming home Robert Flynn. “At one time, the prospect of seeing Bob on the streets of Houston again seemed rather remote. Never underestimating the power of prayer, the people of Houston saw … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Winnebago Lived Peaceably Among White Settlers
Part two of a two-part series Around 1903, newlywed Grace Greener and her husband moved to Reno, Minn. Word spread that she owned a modern miracle – a sewing machine, and the Winnebago Indians living in the nearby river bottoms frequently brought clothing for her to mend. They often paid her with wild game and fish. During the last half of the 1800s, the European-heritage … [Read more...]
Spring Grove netters open with two straight-set SEC wins
Spring Grove opened the 2023 volleyball season with a pair of straight-set, 3-0 conference wins - a lackluster road win at Adams versus Southland, followed by a more satisfactory performance at home versus Houston. The Hurricanes (2-1, 2-1 SEC) slipped out of the league lead while the Lions share the SEC East lead at 2-0 (2-0 SEC). Neither team attacked efficiently at Adams, … [Read more...]
Spring Grove Dominant, Edges Southland, 13-12
Spring Grove dominated the offensive statistics but escaped with only a one-point win, 13-12, against visiting Southland in an early-season sub-district showdown. On the scoreboard, the home opener at Blayne Onsgard Memorial field was decided by a Ben Udstuen extra-point kick, which gave the Lions their first lead, 7-6, with only 34 seconds remaining in the third quarter. It … [Read more...]
Defense Limits Mountain Lake in Lion Football Opener
The Spring Grove defense limited Mountain Lake Area to only eight first downs in a 28-7 season-opening, Lion road win. Junior Bryce Berns, in his varsity quarterback debut, passed for 187 yards (1 TD) and rushed for 114 (2 TD, 1 PAT). Jacob Olerud, in his varsity running back debut, rushed for 94 yards (1 TD) and defended with a team-best 10 tackles. The Lion linemen dominated … [Read more...]
Spring Grove Returns to Gridiron after State Tournament Season
Spring Grove is the defending state runner-up in 9-Man football with a sparkling 13-1 record in 2022. There was not all that much expected after going only 3-5 the previous season, but all eyes will be on the Lions in 2023. However, before the first kickoff, injuries have already eliminated a pair of two-way starters, including an All-State … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Winnebago Relocated to, Relocated Away from Southeast Minnesota
Many southeast Minnesota settlers in the late 1800s had direct contact with or at least observed local Native Americans, most notably the Winnebago tribe. Marlene Meiners wrote her grandfather would barter with skunk hides for chickens. The Indians made baskets, which they sold for $1 or $2. The great “Indian scare” did not involve those mostly-peaceful Winnebago neighbors … [Read more...]
Spring Grove Netters Seek to Extend Recent Success
Spring Grove volleyball (12-2, 28-5) comes off the most successful season in school history - a record 28 wins and first-ever state ranking. It was the pinnacle of consistent success. Not counting the shortened COVID season of 2020, the wins over the most recent seasons have been 28, 20, 19, 26 and 22. Last autumn, the Lions won two regular-season tournaments and reached the … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past A Missing Horse, Wolves, Robberies and a Big Dog
Part two of a series Had it been stolen? A live animal was of tremendous value to the early pioneers in Minnesota. Soon after building a log cabin near Eitzen in Houston County, Henry Christian Bunge, Sr. (1821-1899) was missing his valuable horse he had with him when moving into Winnebago Township from Illinois in 1862. Had it strayed or been stolen? Frontier areas had their … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Pioneers Lived, Survived by Ingenuity
At night in bed, asthma sufferer Henry Christian Bunge, Sr. sought relief from severe coughing by taking hold of a rope that he had attached to an overhead beam and lifted himself into a sitting position. Life as a southeast Minnesota pioneer during the last half of the 1800s called for as much ingenuity as possible. Success depended on self-sufficiency. Doctors were scarce, … [Read more...]