Historic memories of Fillmore County What fate awaited you 111 years ago if you ended up being a fugitive of the law, in beautiful Fillmore County, Minn.???

Today we have before us a postcard sized “WANTED” bulletin for the arrest of a Mr. Helmer Leander Johnson!

While there is little information at all to indicate the exact offenses of which Mr. Johnson could be guilty, of one thing is certain, Sheriff E. K. Blexrud provided the public with an in-depth physical description of Mr. Johnson plus an intriguingly, delightful image of his outfit, and I quote:

“I have a warrant for the arrest of Helmer Leander Johnson. Occupation: Sewing machine repairer.

He answers to the following description: Height, 5 ft. 10 or 11 in.; weight, 150 to 160 lbs.; complexion light; eyes brown; hair dark brown; whole top of head bald; age 28 years.

When last seen he wore a dark bottle green suit with dark stripe about two inches apart; coat three button front, with cuff of sleeve running half way across with four small buttons on each; vest and trousers to match; small shaped brown soft hat; shoes, black Pattent leather, button, medium wide, size 8 1/2 or 9; low turn down collar and light tan silk necktie; grey dark stripe overcoat with Auto collar, new.

Arrest and hold him and Telegraph me and I will pay the expense.

E. K. BLEXRUD,

Sheriff of Fillmore County, Minn.

Dated at Preston, Minn.,

October 16, 1909”

And the other fabulous RPPC (Real Picture Post Card) is a fabulous, very old, picture of what the Fillmore County Jail looked like when Sheriff Blexrud was in charge!

Nowadays this gorgeous building owned by former Fillmore County Sheriff Thomas Kaase and his wife Dorle is known as the widely acclaimed, and hugely successful, HISTORIC JAILHOUSE INN.  Preston, Fillmore County, well, the entire Upper Midwest Region, is more than blessed to have such a wonderful entity in our midst! Thank you Dorle and Tom for what you do and PLEASE, keep on doing what you are doing!!!