In 1897, Houston-based physician Dr. Lewis K. Onsgard and two companions perilously oared through a swift, unpredictable current to reach a patient who was accessible only by boat after floodwaters washed out a bridge. In Houston County and southeast Minnesota, both providing and receiving medical care in the 1800s were as challenging as most other aspects of pioneer … [Read more...]
Soccer (9/28 & 10/01)
(B) Cotter/Hope 1, Cal/SG/Hou 4 (Austin Meyer scored two goals and assisted with a free kick on a Dominick Konkel goal, which put the Warriors up 3-1 with 9:36 to play. Sam Flatin assisted both Meyer goals, the first midway through the first half and the final score with only two minutes remaining. Just two minutes after Meyer scored the ice-breaker, Lyle Myhre made it 2-0, a … [Read more...]
Spring Grove gridders restocking line again
For the second straight season, it is a mostly inexperienced Spring Grove football squad, following last year’s 7-3 crew who achieved a 10th straight winning season. Eight of 16 letter winners return, but only four with starting experience on offense and defense. The kicking game is the most experienced unit for new head coach Kody Moore, who takes the reins after the … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Winnebago removal “the most spectacular sight ever witnessed in this area”
Second of a two-part series For tribal elders, this migration was unpleasant but nothing new. More than a century later, local historian Percival Narveson termed “this uneasy procession” to be “the most colorful and spectacular sight ever witnessed” in what became western Houston County. In the summer of 1848, about 2,500 Winnebago (Ho-Chunk) Indians, 90 soldiers, about … [Read more...]
Soccer (9/22 & 9/24)
(B) La Crescent-Hokah 8, Cal/SG/Hou 1 (Trailing 7-0, Warrior Austin Meyer scored with a penalty kick with the 68th minute of the 80-minute game at Caledonia. The Lancers had scored seven minutes into the match, led 4-0 at halftime, and added a pair of penalty-kick goals in the second half while improving to 4-2-1 behind a hat trick from Andy Lopez. The teams had tied 1-1 … [Read more...]
Decades of sports, mostly spectating The great Ernie Banks and I were both sitting in his sister’s living room
It never had a favorite player; as a child, every Chicago Cub was a hero. But it was no secret who was the best player. Many say one of the best baseball players ever. In 1958 and 1959, “Mr. Cub” Ernie Banks was the first in National League history voted Most Valuable Player in two consecutive seasons. At that time, it seemed to me that distinction usually went to a player on … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Many walked from Winona into Iowa through Spring Grove and Houston
First of a two-part series Hundreds of years before paved roadways, there was an extraordinary prehistoric trail near present-day Spring Grove and Houston. Before statehood, Spring Grove Township named one early road Indian Trail Road, which is now part of Houston County Highway 8 where it meets Highway 44. “While most Indian trails were only narrow footpaths through the … [Read more...]
Decades of sports, mostly spectating Enjoying the 21st Summer Olympics in Montreal, 1976
Hearing the “Star-Spangled Banner” played while standing on foreign soil was unexpectedly emotional. I had heard the national anthem at sporting events countless times, but for me, it was different at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. That anthem was played 34 times, once for each gold medal. At the 21st modern Olympiad, the United States won the third-most gold … [Read more...]
Soccer (9/14 – 9/18)
(B) Dover-Eyota 6, Cal/SG/Hou 1 (Again, the Warrior boys gave up an early goal to the visitors, two minutes, 49 seconds into the match. Late in the first half, undefeated D-E (5-0, 5-0 TRC) added a pair of goals within 38 seconds to take a 4-0 lead into intermission. Down 6-0, C/SG/H received a goal from sophomore Austin Meyer to close the scoring with 24 minutes remaining.) … [Read more...]
Decades of sports, mostly spectating Most famous football play; I will never forget “not” seeing it
It has been called the “most famous play in college football history.” Surely, it was the most bizarre tackle in all of football history, an official “non-tackle” that interrupted an official 95-yard touchdown run that ended 42 yards away from the goal line. Dubbed ‘the 12th man tackle,” it occurred on a big football stage, a New Year’s Day bowl game, and continued on a … [Read more...]