5 years ago

Citizen’s Advocate

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Members of the Otter Rod and Gun Club handed out over 5,000 free trees during its annual giveaway at the Hoot ‘N Holler parking lot on Saturday morning in Ottertail. The annual event has been a staple in Ottertail for over 30 years as club members say thank you to those who have supported their efforts over the past year. 

Brandon and Tyler Currie have spent the winter transforming one of Ottertail’s busiest corners into a one-stop shop for liquor needs in the greater lakes area. The brothers are the new owners of Ottertail Liquors.

After inclement weather forced the delay of the annual National Honor Society Day of Caring in Henning on two separate occasions, students and staff at Henning High School rolled up their sleeves and completed dozens of tasks around town on Monday morning. 

25 years ago

The Henning Advocate

Thursday, May 7, 1997

Perhaps the primary ceremonial duty of a Minnesota governor is to cast a gubernatorial line into one of the state’s fabled 10,000-plus lakes on the opening day of each fishing season. This year’s fishing opener is Saturday, May 10, and this year, Gov. Arne Carlson and his wife Susan are scheduled to do their fishing in Otter Tail Lake. They’re scheduled to get out on the water at 10 a.m.

Chrissy Turchin has been named valedictorian of the Henning High School graduating class of 1997, with a cumulative grade point average of 3.85 in her last three years of school. Missy Klever has been named salutatorian, with a 3.64 GPA. Other honor students in the class are Sarah Witt (3.59), Adam Brakefield (3.52) and Nicole Cordes (3.50).

50 years ago

The Henning Advocate

Thursday, May 11, 1972

Another asset for residents of the Henning area was disclosed this week when Neil and Frank Johnson purchased 70 acres of land from Leslie Estes, about two miles west of our village on County Highway 16. The tract is on the south side of the road on what was known as the Lars Olson property and hill. Work on the greens and the watering system is expected to begin in the next two weeks and the golf course will be ready for play in about a year. They are shown at the dog-leg on the first hole with the green over the water hole. The brothers played football and basketball for Henning high school. Neil is a successful high school cage coach at Wheaton and played basketball for Moorhead State Frank had winning teams for seven years as coach at Le Sueur and starred at guard for Concordia in Moorhead. Both are qualified to give golf lessons. We join the community in wishing our native “sons” well in their new venture.

75 years ago

The Henning Advocate

Thursday, May 11, 1947

Rats Cost Average Farmer $300 A Year—It costs the average farmers $300 a year to feed the rats on his farm every year. County Agent Ray Wolf said today, urging every farmer to spend a few hours in a special clean-up campaign on his farm this spring. Actually it costs as much to feed a rat as a chicken. A single pair of rats, if allowed to breed and feed, will have 72 offspring within a year, Mr. Wolf adds. 

100 years ago

The Henning Advocate

Thursday, May 11, 1922

President Harding’s adventuresome 30-mile voyage up the Ohio River to participate in the 100th birthday anniversary of General Grant, narrowly escaped serious disaster when part of the third deck of the steamer Island Queen crashed to the deck below, carrying with it some 200 persons. Only half a minute’s warning by cracking timbers gave a school children’s band and many others on the second deck time to get from under the crashing timbers. 

125 years ago

The Henning Advocate

Thursday, May 13, 1897

Henning’s Father Dead—Old settlers of this vicinity will perhaps remember the name of the man who christened the village of Henning. His name was John O. Henning. They will remember him for his keen interest he took at the inception of this place as a town. He was land appraiser for the Northern Pacific when the branch was being built through here with headquarters at Fergus Falls. He predicted that in view of the natural location Henning as a town would play an important part in Otter Tail County’s history. Mr. Henning was a characterable and generous man. He offered to give a bell to the first church built in Henning, and the good fortune fell to the lot of the Norwegian Lutheran society. It is the only church bell in the village today. The following is taken from the True Republican, printed at Hudson, Wisc.: Deceased was born in Bellefonte, Pa., April 9, 1819, where he lived till he was six years old. He then moved to Ithica, N.Y. where the early party of his life was spent. He learned the printer’s trade and for a short time had charge of a paper at Ithica. When about 25 years old he moved to Fond du Lac and soon after established the Journal, which he continued to publish for four years. In 1852, under President Pierce, he was appointed register of the land office, then located in this city, John S. Moffatt afterwards having been made his assistant. This position he held till the administration of Buchanan. While in this office he was also interested in a bank along with M.S. Gibson and others, and after retiring from the land office he became actively engaged in the bank. During his service here the bank was robbed, and quite an excitement was created by the thrieve being found by Mr. Henning and two deputies, one of whom was Wm. Wood, still a resdietn here, in a boat about to cross the St. Croix a few miles up. Soon after the bank closed and in the divinding up of the effect there fell to Mr. Henning. The Deceased outlived his wife about 14 years, no children surviving them. He was a man of considerable ability very tenacious of purpose and always had some very close friends.

150 years ago

Ottertail City Record

May 1872

Blacksmith shop at Rush Lake- The undersigned would respectfully inform the citizens of Rush Lake and vicinity that he is prepared to do all kinds fo blacksmithing in first class style. Ironing Sled and Wagons a specialty. F. A. Muschler, W.F. Ball, Attorney and Councelor-at-Law, Ottertail City.