5 years ago

Citizen’s Advocate

Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018

Seventy-two years after they gathered for the first time in Gertrude Neuner’s first grade classroom, the Henning School first grade class of 1945-46 held a unique reunion at the beginning of September. The group, which was part of the Henning High School Class of 1958, have remained close friends, even as they spread out across the country. Henning High School Class of 1958 students who attended their 60th class reunion included: Floyd Aldrich, Donald Husfeldt, James Lueders, Manilla Johnson Wiebe, Karen Oppogard Storhoff, Neil Johnson, Virginia Roberts Paulson, Charlotte Danielson Lueders, Karen Froslee Mack, Geraldine Clear Lee, Bonnie Waldemar Seeman and Karen Thomson Munson.

There was always something special about a cardboard box tucked away in a rural Henning home. It wasn’t anything special, nor was it of any real importance to the family, but the box full of teacher contracts, school records and programs, always held an important place in the hearts of a rural Henning family. A local family, who asked not to be identified, has begun sorting through a box of family memories they acquired when they purchased a home in New York Mills nearly 40 years ago. The box of items belonged to the Jack and Julia Johnson family who have ties to some of the earliest Finnish settlers in NY Mills. The house was purchased when Julia went into the Elders’ Home. Among the clutter and junk that was found when the Henning family purchased the home in the late 1980s was several items of historic importance like reading circle certificates, perfect school attendance certificates, teaching contracts, certificate of baptism, eighth grade diplomas and much more.

25 years ago

The Henning Advocate

Thursday, Oct. 7, 1998

Spaeth’s Department Store closed its doors for good last week, marking the end of an eight-year run for owners Judy and Virgil Spaeth. The closing also marks the apparent end for the retail clothing business in Henning that has long been an integral part of the main street business district.

The Ottertail City Council in regular session Thursday morning last week set an October 19 date for a public hearing in which input will be sought on establishment of tax increment finance (TIF) district for a proposed golf course and housing development in the city.

With a snap of cold in the air and multi-colored leaves on the autumn wind, the time is at hand for the fourth annual Henning Chamber of Commerce Octoberfest. The event will be held this Saturday, Oct. 10, and will feature the traditional pumpkin growing and pie-eating contests, along with farmer market stands, sidewalk sales and other vendors in the downtown business district.

50 years ago

The Henning Advocate

Thursday, Oct. 4, 1973

Todd Lewis and Colleen Estes are the new Homecoming King and Queen for Henning High School.

The new owners of the Vining Cafe are Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Selvage and Mr. and Mrs. Keith Hardin.

75 years ago

The Henning Advocate

Thursday, Sept. 30, 1948

Frank Koplin, owner of the Super Value here for the past 3 1/2 years sold his business Monday to Rudell Oppegard, a well-known Henning boy.

O. B. Allenson, local fire chief, wishes to warn parents of children about setting fires around town. Three fires have been set by young children already this week of a minor nature. Parents are urged to caution children against the use of matches.

100 years ago

The Henning Advocate

Thursday, Oct. 4, 1923

After having graduated from the high school at Syracuse, N.Y. as valedictorian of his class, Moses Finklestein, age 11, has matriculated into full standing as a freshman at Syracuse University. He is the youngest, by several years, of any student, past or present, of the university.

The largest and most up-to-date railroad terminal in the world will replace the old burned Dearborn Station of Chicago, if the seven roads now using the station can obtain the support of two or more additional lines for plans already drawn.

Copper is more valuable than gold from a standard of usefulness. Gold is heavy, soft or low tensile strength, high electrical resistance, low heat conductivity. Copper is employed in so many uses that if it should fail civilization would halt its onward march until some substitute could be produced.

O. M. Johnson, the harness maker, had a strange experience with his cistern. Yesterday the water gave out and he was obliged to enter it to find the trouble. There was not a drop of water in it. He found further the roots of a tree protruding from the cement wall and bottom, which explained the mystery. Mr. Johnson cut the roots, which filled a bushel basket and is exhibiting his new crop at his shop.

125 years ago

The Henning Advocate

Thursday, Oct. 6, 1898

Henry Gray, superintendent of the Duluth rolling mills, who mysteriously disappeared from the Weddell house, Tuesday night, has been found. He was located by the police. Mr. Gray is a sick man, and a nurse and physician are in constant attendance. Mr. Gray was supposed to have had considerable money in his possession when he disappeared, and it was thought for a time that he had met with foul play.

T. C. Collins, father of Miss Mary Collins, the Kentucky free thinker, who was found dead in a Boston hotel with a male companion over a year ago, drowned himself in a pond at Elizabeth, four miles from Paris, Kentucky. He first loosened the tap on one wheel of his buggy, then tied himself in the buggy and drove into ten feet of water in the pond. He was not quite dead when discovered, but never regained consciousness. It is believed that a recent escapade of a younger daughter caused him to commit suicide.