The Spring Grove boys, for a second time this season, used a second-half scoring spurt to subdue Southland. Then they netted a season-most 15 threes on the road while extending their winning streak against LeRoy-Ostrander to 34 games. The 51-38 home win over the Rebels on Feb. 7 was a non-conference decision; the Lions had taken the SEC game in Adams (59-37) back in December. … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Carrying lunch pails, they traveled by buggy, bus or train – even on foot
It was a black covered wagon, with curtains on the sides, that was pulled by a horse. For seating, there were benches on each side of the wagon. Small passengers entered by way of two steps leading to the back door. It was the first school bus for the Houston public school – maybe the first such education transportation in Minnesota, surmised Ingrid Julsrud, who was one of 15 … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Raging ravines, icy bluffs, miscues and rescues
Part five of a series. John Prieve was able to save the life of Nicholas Smith and also rescue his team of horses after a surge of water had caught them in a gulch deep enough to prevent escape on either side. Smith’s wagon was never seen again; the wagon wheels were found among driftwood a mile down the ravine in the Crooked Creek valley southeast of Caledonia. Some others … [Read more...]
Lion girls drop decisions versus Indians, Knights, Cougars
The Spring Grove girls ended the week with a 35-30 loss at Mabel-Canton on Jan. 27 - the lowest scoring game between the two programs in 24 years, since a 26-25 Cougar win in 1997-98. This latest decision made it a season split, each time with the home team prevailing by five points. While that Lion-Cougar contest was decided late, the first two Spring Grove games of the … [Read more...]
Late Lion trey secures 500th win for Coach Grinde during three-win week
With 12 seconds remaining, a 3-point field goal by sophomore Elijah Solum provided the winning points. Then a stolen pass by sophomore Jaxon Strinmoen denied Waukon a last-second chance. The 55-52 decision was the 500th career win, all at Spring Grove, for boys basketball coach Wade Grinde. That Jan. 27 non-conference home win versus Waukon came between two conference victories … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past When first built, it was claimed to be the best in state
Part four of a series. An 1882 history of Houston County included a collection of occurrences that reflected life in the county during its first three decades. One typographical error has been corrected, but otherwise, the following text is quoted with the original spelling, capitalization and punctuation (or lack thereof) from that large hardbound volume. Current 2022 … [Read more...]
Spring Grove boys fall to state-ranked MCW, dismiss Madelia
The Spring Grove boys battled but could not quite upend one of the state’s top-ranked teams on a Friday night/Saturday afternoon western excursion. Undefeated Martin County West (13-0), ranked No. 1 in the Class A computer poll and No. 4 in the press poll, used a seven-point, second-half run to turn away the Lions, 41-33, as both teams were held to their fewest points of the … [Read more...]
Spring Grove girls come close against ‘Canes, conquer Cardinals
First team to 58 points won last week, and so did both visiting teams. The Houston girls edged Spring Grove, 58-55, on Jan. 18, two nights before the Lions won at LeRoy-Ostrander, 58-33. The Hurricanes had also scored 58 in their previous win against Spring Grove, but the Lions scored 23 more points in this conference rematch than they had at Houston in early December. At … [Read more...]
Lion boys hand Class AA Lancers first loss
The Class A Spring Grove boys dealt a first loss to Class AA La Crescent-Hokah, 56-41, on Jan. 18, one night after walloping Houston, 72-24. A strong first half propelled the Lions to both road wins. Oddly enough, the winless Hurricanes had more points at halftime (Lions led 54-20) than the unbeaten Lancers (Lions led, 36-14). But La Crescent-Hokah came out of the halftime … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Sleeping on the counter, running unclothed for his life
Part three of a series. Two men had been observed around town making small purchases. One claimed he was working on a model for which he would soon be applying for a patent. In 1870, it was surely common to see non-residents in a town on the heavily-traveled Mississippi River. It was later learned these two men had been staying in a log cabin not far from town – again not … [Read more...]