They could weigh up to 1,600 pounds, but quality millstones were so valuable that some 19th century immigrants lugged them along when they departed Europe. The expertise of millers was equally critical. Until mills were established, the earliest settlers in Minnesota of European heritage had to grind their wheat by hand. Some, like native Americans, pounded grain in a mortar. … [Read more...]
James H. Botcher
James H. Botcher, 88, of Houston, Minn., passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, November 1, 2022. He was born April 20, 1934, in La Crosse to Fred and Viola (Ender) Botcher and attended Day Valley Public School #1. Jim proudly served his country in the United States Army with the 2nd Medium Tank Battalion from 1957 until 1958. He then served in the United States Army … [Read more...]
Spring Grove pummels Hurricanes in volleyball section opener
Addyson McHugh pounded home a season-high 20 kills as Spring Grove opened postseason play with a 3-0 (25-4, 25-14, 25-15) decision over Houston on Oct. 29 in the Round of 16. Seeded No. 4 section among 20 teams, the Lions enjoyed a 21st straight win and third this season over the No. 13-seeded Hurricanes. State-ranked No. 9 Spring Grove advanced into the quarterfinals with a … [Read more...]
Lions edge Falcons, McHugh reaches 1,000 in five-set section quarterfinal
Spring Grove scored seven of the last eight points in set four to get to a fifth set, which then opened with a 7-to-2 Lion run and eventual victory over Fillmore Central in a Section 1A volleyball thriller on Halloween at Rochester. Both teams rallied from deficits before Spring Grove finally prevailed, 3-2 (25-18, 24-26, 13-25, 25-19, 15-12). The Lions had the most scoring … [Read more...]
Spring Grove soars past Superlarks into 9-man football finals
Top seed Spring Grove remained undefeated at 10-0 while storming into the 9-man section title game for the first time in four years with a season-sweeping, 47-6 semi-final win over No. 4 seed Grand Meadow on Oct. 29 at Blayne Onsgard Memorial Field. It set up another rematch versus No. 2 seed Lanesboro (9-1) in the Section 1 championship game. The Lion defense dominated … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past A dyed-in-the-wool voter wavered in 1956
Some families have had long-standing church and political affiliations, and local historian David Beckman realized it was so for his father’s family in Mound Prairie Township of Houston County in the 1950s. While the Bible Belt across the South was staunchly religious and Democrat, the members of the Evangelical Church on South Ridge in Houston County associated being a good … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Something sinister? The four legends of Ghost Hollow
Was it just the wind or something more sinister? “Never would I venture alone into the dreaded Ghost Hollow,” wrote David Beckman about his 1940s boyhood on a farm between Houston and La Crescent. His father told him the story of a hanging in Ghost Hollow, where the man’s ghost still roamed throughout that coulee, “spooking all who dared intrude into his domain.” David’s uncle … [Read more...]
Lions advance, turn back Hurricanes, 48-16
It was not close at the finish of state-ranked Spring Grove’s 48-16 playoff win on Oct. 25, but the first half was tight until Tysen Grinde took an interception 97 yards, the Lions’ second touchdown in the final 46 seconds before halftime. No. 1 section seed Spring Grove (9-0) scored first, but No. 8 seed Houston led 8-7 after the first quarter. But it would be 48-8 before the … [Read more...]
Spring Grove defense shows up for state-ranked showdown
The Spring Grove defense delivered as the Lions defeated Lanesboro, 28-6, in a state-ranked showdown and Oct. 19 regular-season finale that decided the 2022 East Sub-District championship. It was the Lions’ first regular-season title in four years, while the Burros were unable to defend their 2021 championship. As expected, the teams then received the top two seeds for the … [Read more...]
Lions strike early, quickly in runaway road win over Kingsland
Spring Grove blitzed Kingsland with 35 first-half points on the way to an eventual 41-20 decision on Oct. 14 at Spring Valley. Elijah Solum (13-for 17, 266 yards passing) threw four touchdown passes over the Kingsland secondary to four different receivers. Also, a 27-yard pass and run to Tysen Grinde went to the Knight 12-yard-line. Solum scored on the next play, one of his two … [Read more...]