St. Paul’s Biggest Party: The Grand Army of the Republic’s 1896 National Encampment Moira F. Harris and Leo J. Harris

—Page 13

Fall 2009 Volume 44, Number 3

The 1924 Junior World Series The St. Paul Saints’ Magnificent Comeback Roger A. Godin — Page 4

Saint Paul Saints first baseman Johnny Neun, right, dives toward a Baltimore Orioles runner in an attempt to tag him during one of the 1924 Junior World Series games played at Lexington Park. St. Paul Daily News photo, courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society. St. Paul Saints insignia reproduced by permission of the St. Paul Saints Baseball Club. RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORY Executive Director Priscilla Famham Founding Editor (1964-2006) Virginia Brainard Kunz Editor John M. Lindley Volume 44, Number 3 Fall 2009 RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY THE MISSION STATEMENT OF THE RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY BOARD OF DIRECTORS ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON DECEMBER 20,2007: J. Scott Hutton The Ramsey County Historical Society inspires current and future generations Past President Thomas H. Boyd to learn from and value their history by engaging in a diverse program President of presenting, publishing and preserving. Paul A. Verret First Vice President Joan Higinbotham Second Vice President CONTENTS Julie Brady Secretary 3 Letters Carolyn J. Brusseau Treasurer 4 The 1924 Junior World Series Norlin Boyum, Anne Cowie, Nancy The Saint Paul Saints’ Magnificent Comeback Randall Dana, Cheryl Dickson, Charlton Dietz, Joanne A. Englund, William Frels, Roger A. Godin Howard Guthmann, John Holman, Elizabeth Kiemat, Judith Frost Lewis, Rev. Kevin M. 13 St. Paul’s Biggest Party McDonough, Laurie M. Murphy, Richard H. Nicholson, Marla Ordway, Marvin J. Pertzik, The Grand Army of the Republic’s Jay Pfaender, Ralph Thrane, Richard Wilhoit. 1896 National Encampment Directors Emeriti W. Andrew Boss Moira F. Harris and Leo J. Harris George A. Mairs Richard T. Murphy Sr. 21 Growing Up in St. Paul EDITORIAL BOARD The M ispacha on Texas Street Anne Cowie, chair, James B. Bell, Nathalie Chase Bernstein Thomas H. Boyd, John Diers, John Milton, Debra Mitts-Smith, Laurie M. Murphy, Paul D. Nelson, Richard H. Nicholson, Jay 25 Book Reviews Pfaender, David Riehle, G. Richard Slade, Steve Trimble, Mary Lethert Wingerd.

HONORARY ADVISORY BOARD Publication of Ramsey County History is supported in part by a gift from William Fallon, William Finney, Robert S. Clara M. Claussen and Frieda H. Claussen in memory o f Henry H. Cowie Jr. Hess, George Latimer, Joseph S. Micallef, and by a contribution from the late Reuel D. Harmon Marvin J. Pertzik, James Reagan, Rosalie E. Wahl. RAMSEY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS A Message from the Editorial Board Commissioner Jan Parker, chair Commissioner Tony Bennett ast summer, St. Paul and Ramsey County hosted the Republican National Conven­ Commissioner Toni Carter Commissioner Jim McDonough Ltion, which attracted national attention. Impressive as that event was, we may have Commissioner Rafael Ortega forgotten other locally held, but nationally important gatherings held here. Our authors Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt Commissioner Janice Rettman explore two of them in this issue. In 1924, the St. Paul Saints defeated a minor league

Julie Kleinschmidt, manager, rival, the Baltimore Orioles, to win the Junior World Series at Lexington Park at Lex­ Ramsey County ington and University Avenues. Roger Godin guides us through the story of the series and the excitement it created. In 1896, St. Paul welcomed about 150,000 Civil War vet­ Ramsey County History is published quarterly by the Ramsey County Historical Society, erans and other visitors for the National Encampment of the Grand Army of the Repub­ 323 Landmark Center, 75 W. Fifth Street, St. lic, an enormously popular group with considerable political influence. Moira and Leo Paul, MN 55102 (651-222-0701). Printed in Harris recount the festivities, which included the display of an enormous “living flag” U.S.A. Copyright © 2009, Ramsey County Historical Society. ISSN Number 0485-9758. outside the then under-construction Landmark Center. On a smaller scale, we share All rights reserved. No part of this publica­ Nathalie Chase Bernstein’s warm story of growing up in the 1930s Jewish community tion may be reprinted or otherwise repro­ duced without written permission from the of St. Paul’s West Side. P.S. Don’t forget, a membership to RCHS (including, of course, publisher. The Society assumes no respon­ this nationally award-winning magazine) is a great holiday gift idea! sibility for statements made by contributors. Fax 651-223-8539; e-mail address: admin@ Anne Cowie, Chair, Editorial Board rchs.com; web site address: www.rchs.com

2 RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORY Book Reviews

Three Bold Ventures: trialist, bought the land from Gilfillan planned suburban development that The History of North Oaks, in 1883 and added additional acreage. would provide a scenic living environ­ Hill built over thirty buildings on the ment within commuting distance of the Minnesota land and started a venture to interbreed Twin Cities. By this time, the automo­ Joan C. Brainard cattle imported from England and Scot­ bile had become a middle-class neces­ and Richard E. Leonard land, with the goal of producing cattle sity, and better roads made it possible North Oaks, Minn.: Hill Farm Historical for more people with city jobs to live Society and Beaver’s Pond Press, further out and secure the benefits of 2007 rural life. The North Oaks Company 229 pages; $39.95 sold lots to homeowners, who were Ig y THRFF BOLD Reviewed by Anne Cowie able to enjoy the countryside’s woods VENTURES and lakes, as well as a golf course, ten­ pioneer’s efforts to ensure a city’s nis courts, and even a ski hill. Awater supply; an industrialist’s It is here that the history of North creation of a massive hobby farm; and Oaks, while less romantically compel­

an early planned suburban develop­ THE HISTORY OF NORTH OAKS, MINNESOTA ling, becomes even more valuable for ment: authors Joan C. Brainard and urban historians and those wishing to Richard E. Leonard document the his­ study the growth of local suburbs. The tory of the present-day community of authors note the incorporation of the North Oaks and show how it reflects all city of North Oaks, the advent of po­ three of these “three bold ventures.” Joan C. Brainard and Richard E. Leonard lice and fire protection, and the unique The first, short chapter in the book governing relationship between city deals with Charles Gilfillan’s purchase government, the North Oaks Home- of 3,000 acres surrounding four lakes that would provide both milk and beef. owners Association, and the North north of St. Paul in 1876, with the in­ Hill, ever the innovator, sought to dis­ Oaks Company. As in all communities, tent of giving the water rights to the tribute these cattle to immigrant farm­ the political history played out against city of St. Paul. Gilfillan recognized ers who settled along his Great North­ a cultural backdrop of schools, recrea­ the acute need of a clean supply of ern Railroad. Although Hill’s farming tion, and civic organizations such as the League of Women Voters. water for the young city, which was venture was not a commercial success, growing rapidly. Phelan Creek, the North Oaks Farm proved to be a happy This history provides a thorough, original water supply, was inadequate; retreat for Hill and his family. Hill’s accurate model for other communities efforts to tap White Bear Lake became second son, Louis W. Hill Sr., though to explore and document their origins politically problematic. When Gilfillan less interested in scientific farming than and development. While North Oaks bought the new acreage, a system of his father had been, continued the tradi­ has unique and colorful roots, every canals and conduits was built, allow­ tion of the “gentleman farmer” at North local community has a history to tell, ing clean water to flow to the thirsty Oaks and built a striking Swiss chalet and more histories like this would be city. With a hookup to the Mississippi on the eastern shore of Pleasant Lake. welcome additions to Ramsey County River, the system begun by Gilfillan In 1950, Louis W. Hill Jr., James J. bookshelves. still supplies water to St. Paul. Hill’s grandson, who was interested Anne Cowie is a member o f the RCHS The second “bold venture” began in conservation, announced the be­ Board o f Directors and chairs the Soci­ when James J. Hill, the railroad indus- ginning of the third “bold venture”: a ety ’s Editorial Board.

RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORY 25 “My heart it is delicious”: to the nationally recognized Center for introduction, and prologue. Setting the Course for Cross- International Health, now part of Health My heart is a stunning book. And de­ Partners Midway Clinic. licious as well. Cultural Health Care: ■ The most compelling stories in My Tim Rumsey is a RCHS member and has The Story of the Center for heart come from CIH patients—those been a family physician on St. Paul’s courageous immigrants and refugees International Health W. 7th Street for 32 years. whom, as Garrison Keillor is quoted Biloine W. Young as saying, “if we knew their stories, Afton, Minn.: Afton Historical Society we could not keep back the tears.” Press, 2008 For example: two fatherless Cambo­ The St. Paul Conspiracy 193 pages, $35.00 dian children surviving months in the Roger Stelljes Reviewed by Tim Rumsey jungle and years in refugee camps be- St. Cloud, Minn.: North Star Press of St. Cloud y heart it is delicious is a book you 320 pages, $24.95 M actually can judge by its cover. Reviewed by Robert F. Garland Beautiful and powerful. My heart is “my heart it another winner from RCHS-member is delicious” he St. Paul Conspiracy by local au­ and author Biloine (Billie) Young and thor Roger Stelljes, a practicing law­ the Afton Historical Society Press. The r yer, gets a thoroughly deserved “Well setting the cpyrsè book’s twelve chapters alternate be­ H for cross-cultural health cére Done” from this reviewer. The book has tween recounting the nearly thirty-year th e s to ry of th e all the right ingredients, with interesting evolution of Saint Paul’s International CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL and believable characters, a clever and in­ Clinic to the Center for International HEALTH tricate plot, and a real feeling of the parts Health (CIH) with telling the inspiring of the city of St. Paul in which it is set. stories of hardship and loss of the Cen­ Lead protagonist Detective Michael ter’s patients-refugees and immigrants biloine w. young ' .. ;• foreword by dayidetavHer “Mac” McRyan and his varied St. Paul from Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Russia, Police colleagues show the reader the and Somalia. hard side of police work, reminding By 1980, 100,000 Hmong refugees fore coming to the U.S.; a ten-year-old us that much of it is done by imperfect had relocated to Minnesota, most of them Vietnamese girl whose entire family but diligent officers who are often dead in the Twin Cities. The newly formed was killed in their home while she hid tired and don’t yet fully understand what International Clinic at Saint Paul Ram­ in the next room; and scores of other is going on. Stelljes also shows us that sey Hospital was swamped. Its director, refugees who “managed to stay alive crime detection involves a great deal Dr. Neal Holtan, a medical veteran of throughout nearly a decade of starva­ of boredom and careful watching and Thai-Cambodian refugee camps in the tion, slaughter, landmines, and civil waiting before any action occurs. The late 1970s, attributes the success that the war.” Stories, as one Center patient assorted other main characters working medical staff has had in dealing with the said, “of much sadness.” with and against the police are equally onslaught of refugees to the ability of the Billie Young’s own life experi­ intriguing, and when appropriate the au­ clinic’s native-born interpreters. Not just ences—seven years in Central America, thor fills his scenes with lesser characters for translation, but for brokering cultural trustee of Regions Hospital, and well- in a very realistic manner. compromise and understanding. The versed author, make her more than qual­ The reviewer of a mystery-detective clinic’s Western physicians and nurses in ified for My heart it is delicious. The story must not say too much about the those days were often operating far out­ wonderful title comes from a grateful plot, but this one ingeniously combines side their comfort zones with these new- Russian cardiac patient who made that several strands of events and takes the American patients who, one clinic MD proclamation to Dr. Pat Walker. Over reader in more than one unexpected di­ said, “came straight out of the seven­ 100 photographs populate My heart. rection. What at first may seem to be teenth century.” As author Young writes, Many very moving; others simple year- discrete and unconnected circumstances “cultural humility was an early lesson book-style headshots that at least give appear to come together as the result of for Holtan and his staff in the evolving due credit to the physicians, support thorough police work, but there is plenty discipline of cross-cultural medicine.” staff, and patients integral to CIH’s suc­ of room for the reader to form his or her In 1988, Dr. Patricia Walker, a Thai- cess. The book itself is another quality own suspicions as to what is actually refugee camp graduate with Holtan and Afton Press work, which is to say it happening. also the author’s physician, became di­ reads well, looks good, and even smells Readers of Ramsey County History rector of the International Clinic. Walker good. It also has the interesting distinc­ will enjoy the action that swirls through has led the clinic since and brought it tion of including a foreword, preface, Downtown, Crocus Hill, and University

26 RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORY Avenue, with appropriate side trips to Crusaders for Justice: teaching history in St. Paul’s Marshall Highland Park, Stillwater, Minnetonka, A Chronicle of Protests by Junior High and Johnson Senior High and Hudson, Wisconsin. Stelljes does schools. He was the fifth African-Amer­ an especially good job evoking the dark Agitators, Advocates and ican teacher to be hired by the St. Paul streets, narrow alleys, and old buildings Activists in Their Struggle for school district. He and his wife, Katie, of the eastern Summit Avenue/Grand Civil and Human Rights in St. have been influential leaders in the fight Avenue area, and the gritty reality of Paul, Minnesota, 1802-1985 for civil rights in St. Paul over many nights on University Avenue. He strikes years. They both served the St. Paul the right balance between fact and imag­ Arthur C. Me Watt community through participation on var­ St. Paul: St. Paul Branch of the NAACP ious interracial committees and commis­ with assistance from Papyrus Publish­ sions, the local chapter of the National ing, 2009 Association for the Advancement of Col­ 236 pages, $18.99 ored People, and working for the St. Paul Reviewed by John M. Lindley chapter of the Urban League. Crusaders for Justice is more than a rthur Me Watt has written an impor­ history that brings into sharp light the Atant account of St. Paul in his book important contributions of people such as Crusaders for Justice. His focus is on Fr. Stephen L. Theobald, Cecil Newman, the struggle for civil and human rights Rev. Francis J. Gilligan, Rev. Denzil in St. Paul from 1802 to 1985. Some Carty, Estyr Peake, Josie Johnson, James of the incidents that McWatt recounts, S. Griffin, and the Rev. James Battle, such as the struggles of African Ameri­ cans George Bonda, James Thompson, and Robert T. Hickman in nineteenth- century St. Paul or the unselfish efforts of men such as Fredrick L. McGhee, ination, and his description of two or William T. Francis, Roy Wilkins, and three bars in which important things take Whitney Young in the twentieth-century, place is also most convincing. When set­ have been told well by other writers and ting their stories in real locations, all au­ are generally acknowledged as central thors face the question of place names. I to our state’s history of race relations. thought Stelljes made good choices here, A Chronicle o f Protest by Agitator^ Advocates and While all of these men are present in Activists in their Struggle For Civil and Human keeping some and changing a few oth­ Rights in St. Paul, Minnesota, 1802-1985. Crusaders for Justice, McWatt departs ers, giving the reader a chuckle or two in a major way from this well-trodden in the process. Recent city planners of path in his accounts of lesser-known downtown St. Paul have not been easy leaders in the struggle for civil rights in on authors with the myriad of one-way Minnesota’s capital city. streets, dead ends, and other changes, McWatt explains in his Introduction among many others. The book also has a but Stelljes handles these well as the that the idea for writing his history came short section called “Family Heritage Vi­ violent action roars through downtown gnette” located between chapters in three from the many hours he spent mining St. St. Paul in the exciting climax. places. These vignettes summarize the Paul’s African-American weekly news­ This is not a “cozy book,” but the McWatt family history and strengthen papers for their reports on instances of degree of raw language, violence, and our awareness of how intimately their racism, discrimination, and other rights intimate scenes seems about right and family story is intertwined with the violations in the city. His goal was “to adds realism. His characters say and do larger civil rights history. This book is chronicle the struggles of these cru­ things that fit the story. a testament to the faith that Arthur and saders and champions from St. Paul in I am now looking forward to another Katie McWatt have demonstrated over the hope that future generations might book from Roger Stelljes and I think the years in the efficacy of public activ­ learn from what had transpired” (p. xi). others who read The St. Paul Conspir­ ism and protest on behalf of human and In addition, McWatt believes that St. acy would then do the same. civil rights. Anyone who is interested in Paul over the years “has often been the how St. Paul has changed for the better Robert F. Garland is a St. Paul resident training ground for civil rights leaders in its human relations will want to read who is himself an author of several mys­ throughout the nation, many of whom this insightful history. teries, some o f which are set in St. Paul. learned their crafts here” (p. 219). He is also a former member o f the Soci­ A graduate of the University of Min­ John M. Lindley is the editor o/Ramsey ety’s board o f directors. nesota, McWatt spent thirty-three years County History.

RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORY 27 The cover of the Official Program for the 30th National Encampment of the GAR in St. Paul in 1896, left, and a Delegate Badge from that convention. The five-pointed star and the “Delegate" bar above the eagle were made of Minnesota copper. The program image is courtesy of the Ramsey County Historical Society. The badge is from the Albert Scheffer family archives, photo courtesy of Moira F. Harris and Leo J. Harris. For more on the GAR encampment in St. Paul, see the article on page 13.