Part three of a series A soldier from Houston County, Gundar Knutson of Yucatan, was on duty guarding the body of President Abraham Lincoln as it was lying in state in Washington, D.C. in April of 1865. It is possible that honor went to battle-ready men in brand new uniforms, clothing not yet soiled or torn on the battlefield. Knutson was one of 75 Houston County men who had … [Read more...]
Cal/SG gymnasts host triangular with Lancers, Bears
Caledonia/Spring Grove gymnasts (0-4) finished third while hosting a conference triangular with Byron (129.500) and La Crescent-Hokah (123.825). The Warriors' team score (107.175) slipped from their first two meets. However, there was improvement on the balance beam with a team total of 25.225. The second-best team total belonged to the Byron junior varsity (126.750). Cal/SG … [Read more...]
Lion girls no match for Rockets, clipped again by Cougars
The Spring Grove girls (2-5, 2-4 SEC) dropped conference decisions to fast-breaking Randolph on the road and then at home to quick-starting Mabel-Canton. The Lion B-team also sustained a pair of losses, while Spring Grove took both eighth grade games. The seventh graders played only once, a home loss to the Rockets. SG 25, at Randolph 65 Randolph (6-1, 4-1 … [Read more...]
Spring Grove boys avenge only loss; Grinde scores 1,000th
The young Spring Grove boys took a strong stride toward the SEC division title by avenging their lone league loss while dealing a second SEC defeat to visiting Randolph, 67-54. Three nights later, Caden Grinde scored his 1,000th career point while the Lions completed a season sweep of Mabel-Canton, 60-24. The week closed with Spring Grove (8-1, 8-1 SEC East) holding a … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past To escape conscription, they took their oxen to Idaho
Part two of a series A jail sentence was threatened for members of the Houston County Military Committee after they ignored the first three draft calls. As the Civil War dragged on longer than anticipated, the United States was finally forced to initiate its first military draft in March of 1863, almost a year after the Confederacy’s first conscription. The county quota had … [Read more...]
Cal/SG gymnasts challenged by snow and PI/ZM
With a snow postponement in between, the Caledonia/Spring Grove gymnastics team has competed against Pine Island/Zumbrota-Mazeppa in both meets thus far. Both teams scored better in this February 6 rematch at Caledonia - the Warriors at 112.075 and the visitors a very strong 142.975. That PI/ZM total was better than any opponent last year, and the Cal/SG total was better than … [Read more...]
Spring Grove girls rally late, complete sweep of Schaeffer, 41-37
The Spring Grove girls’ eight turnovers were their fewest in eight years and a major reason the girls were finally able to overcome frigid 21% shooting in a 41-37 home victory that completed an SEC sweep over Schaeffer Academy. Due to COVID concerns and quarantines, there were two postponements for Spring Grove during the 11 days between this February 2 rematch and the teams’ … [Read more...]
Lion boys set up SEC showdown with sweeps of Schaeffer, Houston
The Spring Grove boys (6-1, 6-1 SEC) prepared for the conference showdown with Randolph by completing SEC sweeps of both Schaeffer Academy and Houston. A hard-fought 59-43 win over defending East Division champion Schaeffer came on the road at Rochester on Monday (Feb. 2) before a 64-15 home hammering of Houston on Saturday (Feb. 6.) in a game delayed two days by … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Several states enlisted Houston County volunteers
Part one Even before the Civil War began, some in Houston County were organizing for combat. In February of 1861, while many were still pursuing a peaceful solution, Caledonia’s Col. Sam McPhail, a Mexican War veteran, sought to form a regiment. Having lived in the South, he “appreciated the temper of the fire-eaters and knew that if resisted, they would fight.” Fifteen … [Read more...]
Cal/SG gymnasts open vs. PI/ZM
The Caledonia/Spring Grove gymnastics team opened at home with a score of 109.825 while Pine Island/Zumbrota-Mazeppa won with 135.35. Freshman Braelyn Lange placed second in all-around at 29.5, and junior Brianna Johnson was third at 26.95. Six different Warriors competed in varsity events, four qualifying for all-around (competing at all four stations). Both … [Read more...]