Book Reviews

Ten Men of Minnesota and American Foreign Policy, Shipstead. These men prominently led midwestern opposition 1898-1968. By Barbara Stuhler. to Wilsonian internationalism, to the lowering of protecti\e (St. Paul, Minnesota Historical Society, 1973. xii, 263 p. tariffs, ;md to abandonment of America's neutrality at the eve of Illustrations. $8..50.) World War II. After the war they continued to criticize or vote against the United Nations, international monetary agree­ BARBABA STUHLER'S Ten Men of Minnesota underscores ments, and the Marshall Plan. Their opposition to an\- con­ and reinforces a widely shared view of many competent ob- tinued American commitments to the world community paral­ sen'ers of American government and politics that the North leled their increasing conservatism concerning domestic issues Star State has, indeed, produced not only remarkable issue- and activities of "socialists" and "communists" which the\' per­ centered systems and processes of political decision-making ceived as constituting threats to internal security and cherished but also an outstanding group of ijublic men who made major values. contributions both to national and international affairs. How Minnesota turned from its isolationist political tradi­ Between 1898 and 1968, Minnesota politics spawned tions toward a broader and much more cosmopolitan \iew of significant and articulate spokesmen for imperialism and the interdependence of nations and continents is carefully and isolationism, for internationalism and interventionism — many effectively portrayed in the careers of Joseph H. Ball, Harold of them men of strong convictions and righteous fei-vor who E. Stassen, Walter H. Judd, Eugene J. McCarthy, and Hubert reached positions of considerable power and influence in the H. Humphrey. actual shaping of American foreign policy. As one reads Professor Stuhler's thoroughly documented Cushman K. Davis, as chairman of the prestigious Senate analysis, there can be little doubt that these "men of Min­ Foreign Relations Committee, equated American expan­ ne.sota" performed a significant service in ad\'ancing interna­ sionism with progress and the acquisition of Hawaii and the tional understanding and awareness among the people and Philippines with the spread of "the blessings of liberty, democ­ politicians of this state. Whether campaigning for Congress, racy, and equality to other peoples of the earth." the Senate, or the presidency as Republicans or Democratic- To Charles A. Lindbergh, Sr., the "radical isolationist" Farmer Laborites. these men viewed electoral contests as horn the sixth congressional district of Minnesota, foreign pol­ unique opportunities to confront their fellow citizens with the icy concerns constituted "unwanted and unwarranted diver­ challenges and crises of a world in transition. sions' from needed domestic reforms that could address the As a study of public careers and of shifting attitudes. Ten plight and poverty of farmers and workers. Proud of his Jeffer­ Men of Minnesota offers percepti\e insights and understand­ sonian and populist agrarianism, Lindbergh tirelessly and vig­ ings about the relationship of personalities and power and orously assailed the 'pernicious power" of bankers and about the roles of culture and ideology in the emergence of financiers, of railroads and trusts — all of whom he \ iewed as national politics and of international consensus. contributing to the immoral ensla\ement of the common man and to the "economic inducements to war. " Following in Lindbergh's footsteps and extending their Reviewed by G. THEODORE MIT,\U. chancellor of the Min­ legislative tenure well into the mid-1940s were the inxeterate nesota state colle

Winter 1973 311 Lindbergh of Minnesota: A Political Biography. By way to anecdotes that could make the reader more realistically Bruce L. Larson. feel the excitement of those hectic times — Professor Larson's (New York, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1973. xix, book is a competent, readable, and thoroughly researched 363 p. Illustrations. ,$14.50.) piece of work. The author is clearly a Lindbergh fan, but his judgments are substantiated and generally balanced. CHARLES A. LINDBERGH, SR., less wefi known to recent Lindbergh's career, evidencing the close relationship between generations than his famous aviator son, was in his own right a antiwar and domestic reform sentiments in that period, is major figure of Minnesota politics and a pillar of the national shown as an example of the traditional interpretation of pro­ progressive movement at the beginning of this century. A son gressive politics rather than of some recent revisionist ap­ of Swedish immigrant pioneers and stern, tenacious, and un­ proaches. Adding to the picture provided by biographies of compromising by nature, Lindbergh also was a leader whose other prominent progressives, the book not only makes a valu­ personal integrity and unswerving concern for the common able contribution to Minnesota history but also helps round out man brought him a loyal following for two decades of turbulent an accurate understanding of the progressive era in America. political life. Beginning in 1906, Lindbergh served five consecutive Reviewed hy ROBERT L. MORLAN, professor of government at terms in the United States House of Representatives from a the University of Redlands in California. He is the author of central Minnesota district, establishing himself as an articulate Political Prairie Fire: The Nonpartisan League, 1915-1922 and implacable foe of the "special interests," notably the (1955), and "The Nonpartisan League and the Minnesota Cam­ 'money trust." Initially an insurgent Republican, he found it paign of 1918, ' which appeared in tlie Summer. 1955, issue of easy to shift to other political vehicles when they appeared Minnesota Histoiy. more logical mechanisms for the advancement of his pro­ gressive views. He unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for governor in the 1918 primaries as the en­ dorsed candidate of the Nonpartisan League. It was an emotional wartime campaign marked by almost unparalleled The History of Wisconsin. Volume 1. From Exploration bitterness and charges of disloyalty against Lindbergh who then to Statehood. By Alice E. Smith. backed a Democrat running as an independent. In subsequent (Madison, State Historical Societv of Wisconsin, 1973. years he played an important role in the development of the xiv, 7.53 p. $15.00.) Farmer-Labor party and sought its senatorial nomination, again unsuccessfully, in 1923. FBOM EXPLORATION TO STATEHOOD launches a six- Throughout the years, both in and out of public office, "C. volume histoiy scheduled for publication by the State Histori­ A." spoke widely and published a number of articles, books, cal Society of Wisconsin under the general editorship of Wil­ and pamphlets on the theme of economic injustice and the liam Fletcher Thompson. If the range and quality of the vol­ need for governmental controls. Rooted deeply in the tradition umes still to come match that of Alice Smith's contribution, the of Midwest agrarian reform movements, the ideas espoused by series will be a landmark in the writing of state history. Lindbergh were demonstrably influential in the thinking of a Not that Miss Smith lacked problems with the two and significant segment of the Midwest populace and of many other one-half centuries that fell to her lot. Given the series' intent to progressive political leaders — among them Floyd B. Olson, constitute a "definitive history," the long time span and the Knud Wefald, William Lemke, Gerald P. Nye, Ole J. Kvale, complexity of material the author had to deal with challenged and Magnus Johnson. encompassment in a single volume. She met the challenge with While Lindbergh has naturally received attention in a vari­ a compromise. Because the early years, from seventeenth cen­ ety of books dealing with facets of the progressive era — and tury exploration to 1815, have been covered in Louise Phelps more detailed treatment at the hands of his friends and admir­ Kellogg's two volumes on the French and British regimes (pub­ ers, Lynn and Dora Haines — Bruce Larson provides the first lished in 1925 and 1935), Miss Smith gives the period a general comprehensive biography. Commencing with the migration of survey condensed into ninety-four pages. The general survey, Charles A, Lindbergh's parents from Sweden to Minnesota and however, is no mere summary of the Kellogg books. In the the rugged life of the frontier, the narrative winds through text, footnotes, and a bitdiographic essay, the author reckons Lindbergh's years of legal practice and business activity in Lit­ with the scholarly production since the Kellogg books were tle Falls, a happy first marriage, and, after his first wife's un­ published. timely death, a less successful second one. The book focuses, Miss Smith's volume is encyclopedic in content, though appropriately, on the political career that dominated the last fortunately not in form. Organized topically rather than eighteen years of Lindbergh's life. It seeks to clarify the chronologically. From Exploration to Statehood moves through reasons why he became an insurgent, the development of his large areas of political, economic, social, and intellectual sub­ attitudes toward reform of banking and monetary policy, and ject matter with a minimum of overlap. Whether the topic be the notable influence he exerted upon his own and later times. public land laws, banking, politics, or social refonn, the view­ Although a few readers may bog down momentarily in the point is broad, illustrating well the Jameson dictum that good detail relating to the years before the first successful congres­ state and local history is "American history locally exemp­ sional race — and some who are well acquainted with the lified." Particularly telling in this respect are the analyses events of 1917-23 may wish that description more often gave of territorial government, Indian relations, and banking.

312 Minnesota History Written with clarity, grace, and a depth of understanding, describing the injustice inflicted upon the Japanese-Americans From Exploration to Statehood is an appropriate capstone to during Wodd War II, Mr. Nash vacillates. He irresolutely the remarkable career of Alice Smith, who as Wisconsin's states that the distinctive service of Japanese-Americans in the curator of manuscripts first enriched her institution's research American armed forces ""raised doubts about the wisdom of resources and then as a member of the research division dem­ their internment in the first place. onstrated in her several books mastery of the historical art. Finally, the book is flawed b>' the ambivalence .Mr. Nash displays towards the "pace-setting" western life-style. On the Reviewed by LUCILE M. KANE, Wisconsin-horn curator of one hand, he is sensitive to the massive ecological problems manuscripts at the Minnesota Historical Society and author of arising from the dynamic economic growth of the urban West. several works on Minnesota and regional history. His sensitivity prompts him to be skeptical about the future of a consumer-oriented economy. On the other hand, rarely does Mr. Nash display either criticism or skepticism toward the changes which created the modern West. Indeed, he con­ The American West in the Twentieth Century: A Short cludes his work with seeming praise for the fact that the urban History of an Urban Oasis. By Gerald D. Nash. oases are destined to expand further. It is obvious that the (Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, Prentice-Hall, 1973. viii, nation can no longer afford to waste its resources so mindlessly. 312 p. Hard cover $9.95, paper $4.95.) It is unfortunate that Mr. Nash obscures that fact.

IN THIS VOLUME Professor Gerald Nash develops a Reviewed by GEORGE W. GARLID, professor of history at the framework for interpreting and understanding" the contem­ University of Wisconsin at River Falls and the author of several porary West. He maintains that the West is characterized by articles and reviews in Minnesota History. the growth of urban oases whose maturation produced a society freed from its colonial dependence upon the East. By the 1960s the West had become a "pace-setter" for the nation. This oc­ curred largely because federal spending policies, particularly those initiated since 1933, disproportionately aided many of Geology of Minnesota: A Centennial Volume. Edited the oases. Economic diversity was the result. Of equal impor­ by P. K. Sims and G. B. Morey. tance, these policies furthered the development of a sophisti­ (St. Paul, Minnesota Geological Survey, 1972. xvi, 632 p. cated, technological society which appealed to diverse socio­ Illustrations. Hard cover $17.00, paper $12.00.) economic groups. The West led the nation in the development of suburban FROM THE HISTORICAL viewpoint this extensive treat­ communities, shopping centers, motels, retirement villages, ment of the geology of the state is of interest at two levels. The fast food purveyors, informal dress, freeways, and a host of first is an account pf the development of the rocks underlying additional innovations which typify modern America. Mr. Nash the state and of its topography over a period of three and suggests, albeit with less certainty, that the West acted as a one-half billion years; the second is the story of the attempts of pace-setter in recognizing the problems involved in attempting geologists over the last hundred years to unravel the geological to secure equal opportunity for ethnic minorities. record. It is very appropriate that this, the most comprehen­ The work has much to commend it to students of twentieth sive treatment of the geology of the state since the six volumes century American history. It provides the short synthesis of of The Geology of Minnesota — The Final Report of the western development that Mr. Nash intends. The section on Geological and Natural History Survey of Minnesota, by New­ ethnic minorities is particularly useful for those who are un­ ton H. Winchell at the end of the nineteenth centuiy, should familiar with militant attempts by Chicanes and Indians to celebrate the centennial of the Minnesota Geological Survev. achieve justice. The thesis is stated clearly and supported ade­ The history of geology in Minnesota is dotted with such quately. names as David D. Owen, Newton H. and Horace V. Win­ Nevertheless, the book is disappointing. The West Mr. chell, Warren Upham, W. H. Emmons, George M. Schwartz, Nash writes about is never clearly defined. He frequently uses and scores of others who have worked and, in some cases, are the term "trans-Mississippi West' ; yet, he excludes Min­ still involved in the \arious phases of the geological stor>'. nesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, and Louisiana from consid­ While many of the fifty-three papers by thirty-three scien­ eration. By itself this is not objectionable; however, it occa­ tists which make up the nine chapters of the volume are highly sionally leads to error. For example, Mr. Nash claims that technical, requiring that the average layman read them with a Woodrow Wilson carried every state west of the Mississippi in geological glossary at hand, there are sufficient nontechnical 1916 except South Dakota and Oregon. Since Wilson won papers — summaries and accounts of the ice-age period, for Missouri, Arkansas, and Louisiana, his statement is mislead­ example — to provide much of interest to the nonspecialist. ing. Since consideration is given to the geology of the various re­ More important is Mr. Nash's habit of qualifying his asser­ gions of the state, as well as to e\ents of the various geological tions. He consistently reduces the value of his judgments by periods, the reader can extract details about the areas of his overusing the adverb "perhaps." His hesitancy to judge is particular interest. most apparent in his inability to recognize clearly the most The geological account ranges from the formation of the flagrant single violation of civil liberties in this century. In oldest rocks in North America (and among the oldest in the

Winter 1973 313 world) — granitic gneisses near Montevideo, Granite Falls, volume requires either a familiarity with geology and its vo­ and Morton — to sedimentary rocks laid down by ancient seas, cabulary or a wfllingness to consult a glossary. However, lacking to the minor alterations in the earth's surface since the with­ either of these, simply selecting papers that cover subjects of drawal of the last ice sheet a mere ten thousand years ago. Of personal interest at a comprehensible level of presentation can special interest is the series of papers describing the physiology be a rewarding experience in discovering historical explana­ of nian\- areas of the state and the ice sheets and other tions of familiar features. While not brought out in this volume, phenomena that molded the surface. The formation of the it should be remembered that geological structures are the lakes, streams, and hills of Minnesota, as well as the deposition basis of the land.scape and played a significant part in man's of the all-important iron ore and ground-water resources, are settlement and de\ elopment of the state. all discussed in detail. For the scientifically inclined, there are papers on the "'Regional Gravity Field and the Magnetic Data" and ""Regional Nhignetic Patterns. " Reviewed by EDMUND C. BRAY, author of A Million Years in It should be reiterated that complete reading of this large Minnesota, the Glacial Storv of the State. news & noxes

MINNESOTA NOMINEES fared wefi A GROUP of teen-agers from the Twin returned to the Twin City Institute. If in voting by the national awards commit­ Cities area, armed with tape recorders you have information or ideas or vrish to tee of the American Association for State and cameras, set out last summer to subscribe ($1.00 an issue), write to and Local History on September 16-18 collect and put into print part of Min­ Scattered Seeds, Minnesota Memories prior to the 1973 annual meeting of the nesota's rich oral history. They were Class, c/o New City School, 400 Sibley AASLH in Edmonton, Alberta. The members of a class called Minnesota Avenue, St. Paul 55101. Minnesota Historical Society won two Memories offered by the Twin City Insti­ awards of merit: one "for imaginative tute for Talented Youth in St. Paul and EDWARD A. BROMLEY'S Minne­ presentation of Minnesota history to stu­ taught by Steven Trimble. Their purpose apolis Album, a pictorial history first dents and teachers through a well-edited was to find, gather, and record on paper pubhshed in 1890, has long been out of magazine, Roots" (editor: Judy Poseley), the unwritten history of the state as told print and generally unavailable. Now and the other "for helping interpret the and demonstrated by those who remem­ it has been reprinted under the title of story of the North American fur trade by ber it or have heard the stories passed Minneapolis Portrait of the Past means of a color film, 'From the Bottom on from one generation to another. The (Minneapofis, Voyageur Press, $10.00), Up.'" result is a publication called Scattered with a new introduction by Ervin J. Burlington Northern, Inc., also won Seeds: A Gathering of Minnesota Mem­ Gaines, director of the Minneapofis Pub­ an award of merit "for its contribution to ories, which is to be a quarterly journal lic Library. the study and understanding of railroad of oral history produced by high school Bromley was both a photographer and Northwest history by donation of students. and a collector of photographs and immense manuscript collections and of The first issue includes several per­ daguerreotypes. He spent fourteen years locomotives and depots." A fourth award sonal and family histories: a ninety- compiling the scenes in this book from of merit went to William E. Lass, profes­ five-year-old St. Paul Black man re­ his own photographs as well as from the sor of history at Mankato State College, counts family stories that go back to works of more than thirty other photog­ for writing From the Missouri to the slavery; another man tells of his raphers. Mr. Gaines writes that virtually Great Salt Lake: An Account of Overland French-Canadian great-grandfather's all surviving photographs of Minneapolis Freighting. He was nominated in Ne­ immigration to Minnesota; several el­ before 1910 were either taken by Brom­ braska because his book was published by derly Bagley residents reminisce about ley or part of his collection and that the Nebraska State Historical Society. homesteading in that rugged northern "our visual history, then, is owing almost AASLH certificates of commendation area; and a blues musician talks and plays entirely to the energy of this one man. " also went to two Minnesotans — Leland his guitar. Some almost-forgotten skills The pictures, the originals of which Cooper of St. Paul "'for long and unusual are explained in words and pictures: how are owned by the Minnesota Historical interest in local history and for many to make sauerkraut, how to cane a chair, Society and the Minneapolis Public Li- contributions to Minnesota Historical and how to prepare and use "urban brar\ , depict the birth and growth of the Society projects, particularly the saving herbs. " There also is a photo essay on city. Included are portraits of the "origi­ of the Connor Fur Post site, " and to J. wood carving and a section devoted to nal inhabitants" and of the pioneers and Wesley White of Duluth "for preserving recipes. prominent citizens who built the mills, and organizing records of the Superior The next three issues are to he pro­ factories, homes, offices, schools, National Forest and compiling publica­ duced by the New City School in St. bridges, hotels, and other structures tions based on them. " Paul, after which the pubhcation will be shown in the book. Although Bromley

314 Minnesota History presents some early scenic views of St. the society's role in regard to the history ministration, says Mr. Fritz, "became Anthony FaUs, Minnehaha Falls, Lake of St. Paul. Also strengthening the known for resistance to fraudulent claims Calhoun, the Mississippi, and unspoiled society's identification with the city was upon Indian annuities, and for this he Nicollet Island, he also chose stark pic­ removal of its headquarters from the incurred the enmity of prominent west­ tures of the young town's muddy streets Gibbs Farm Museum at 2097 Larpen­ ern politicians. " and often graceless frame structures as teur Avenue West, Falcon Heights, to Later on, Manypenny's concern well as bleak landscapes. It is, says Mr. the Old Federal Courts Building in about Indian welfare was one factor in his Gaines, an honest portrait: "One views downtown St. Paul. being appointed to several commissions these pictures and comes away with a Robert Orr Baker, who was re­ established to negotiate with the tribes. sense of a determination by Bromley to elected president of the society, said that His chairmanship of the Sioux Commis­ have the reader confront the environ­ plans call for an exhibit area and a series sion in 1876 (and probably the influence ment as it must have appeared to those of displays on St. Paul history at the new on him of another member. Bishop Hen­ who lived in it. " headquarters, while the Gibbs Farm ry B. Whipple of Minnesota, long-time Facing each plate is a brief history Museum will continue to be developed champion of making Indians wards of and description of the scene. At the end as a pioneer farm home. the government) prompted Manypenny of the new edition is a reproduction of to write Our Indian 'Wards "as a means of the 1890 Minneapolis shopping guide, A MILITARY COMMISSION hastily keeping the cause of justice for Indians complete with numerous advertise­ tried nearly 400 Indians after the Sioux alive during a period when public opin­ ments. The book is available from Voy­ Uprising of 1862 in Minnesota and con­ ion was adverse to reform." The book ageur Press, 3201 Nicollet Avenue, demned 303 of them to death. Abraham was part of the refonn literature that Minneapofis 55408, and from the Min­ Lincoln's reactions to the trial and the brought about passage of the Dawes In­ nesota Historical Society. possible reasons for what he did and did dividual Allotment Act of 1887, says Mr. not do form the burden of a discussion of Fritz. "'Lincoln and the Indians ' in the Sep­ FOR ALMOST a quarter of a century the tember and October, 1973, issues of late Earl Chapin, Minnesota-born jour­ DURING ITS 303 years of trading opera­ Lincoln Lore, monthly bulletin of the nahst, was the Wisconsin correspondent tions, the Hudson's Bay Company has Lincoln National Life Foundation, Fort for the St. Paul Dispatch and Pioneer created some 4,200 linear feet of ar­ Wayne, Indiana. Press. He reported on people, places, and chives. Although they deal mainly with things in that region of Minnesota's sister The anonymous author points out transactions in North America (and in­ state that makes up the watershed of the that, although Lincoln was a politician clude Minnesota material), they have al­ St. Croix and Mississippi rivers. It is sensitive to public opinion, he early ar­ ways been located in London, England. rived at a decision not to hang all the pleasant now to have thirty-seven of Soon, however, they will be much more Indians, as most Minnesotans wanted. Chapin's stories available in more per­ accessible to scholars in the United He decided to distinguish between mur­ manent form in a 102-page paperback. States and Canada. On July 31, 1973, derers and rapists and those who had Tales of Wisconsin (price: $3.50), com­ HBC Governor George T. Richardson merely been warriors doing battle and piled and edited by Wayne Wolfe and and Premier Ed Schreyer of Manitoba eventually permitted thirty-eight to be published by the University of signed an agreement by which the ar­ executed. Like other writers before him, Wisconsin-River Falls Press. chives are to be transferred from Beaver the author of ""Lincoln and the Indians " Included are the often-told tales of credits Episcopal Bishop Henry B. House in London to the Provincial Li­ John Till, the "plaster doctor"' of Somer­ Whipple of Minnesota with having brary and Archives Building in Winni­ set; the Hudson-Stillwater imbroglio influence on the president's reactions to peg, over the Hudson bridge; the petrified Indian problems. Whipple wanted to According to a short article in the Au­ man of Ladysmith; the Crex rug story of make the Indians wards of the govern­ tumn, 1973, issue of The Beaver, HBC Burnett County; log jams on the St. ment and pursuers of agriculture. At quarterly, "the transfer is expected to Croix; operatic soprano Olive Fremstad least twice before his assassination, Lin­ take place in the late summer of 1974." in Grantsburg; and so forth. They all coln recommended the same for the In­ The article points out that "The Com­ make good, quick reading. Chapin's dians. Whijjple also influenced George pany has minute books, correspondence major contribution in this book, how­ W. Manypenny, whose '"landmark book to its employees in Ruperts Land dated ever, is a thorough, well-written report about Indian reform," Our Indian from 1779, journals of exploration, ac­ on John Dietz in "'The Showdown at Wards, was pubfished in 1880 (see note count books, maps, and ships' logs." The Cameron Dam," a fascinating study of below). records from 1670-1870 have been avail­ one individual's hopeless battle against able to scholars since the early 1930s, the big logging combines. In 1903 Min­ and in 1970 (when the head office of the nesota also had its counterpart with the HENRY E. FRITZ, chairman of the de­ company was moved from London to dynamiting of the Chengwatana Dam partment of history at St. Olaf College, Winnipeg) the records were opened to near Pine City. Helen B. Wyman's il­ has written a new foreword for a republi­ 1900. "Post-1900 records are being lustrations help make this a most appeal­ cation of George W. Manypenny's 1880 classified before being opened to re­ ing paperback. classic. Our Indian Wards (New York, Da Capo Press, 1972. xxxviii, 436 p. searchers, " the article concludes. James Taylor Dunn $12.50). Mr. Fritz points out that the book "was the climax of more than a UNDERNEATH the busy streets, THE RAMSEY COUNTY Historical quarter century of reform effort in behaff sidewalks, and commercial buildings that Society has officially changed its name to of American Indians " by Manypenny. now cover Grand Avenue between Lex­ Ramsey County and St. Paul Historical While he was commissioner of Indian af­ ington and Oxford in St. Paul fie buried Society. This was done, the board of di­ fairs during the presidency of Franklin memories of tiie Oxford Club, incoipo- rectors told members, to help reinforce Pierce (1853-57), Manypenny's ad­ rated in 1916. The story of that group

Winter 1973 315 was une;u-thed recenth' b\- James Ta>lor with Japanese steamship firms and then Dakota. Its main run was between Min­ Dunn, former chief librarian of the \Hn- with his own Great Northein Steamship neapolis and Watertown. The stoiy of nesota Historical Society ;iiid a nati\ e of Conipan\', organized in 1900, for which that railroad, which made its last trip in that part of the Summit P;irk district. he had two 28,000-ton ships, the 1960 — the victim of the same forces Mr. Dunn's article, "Whatexer Hap­ ""Dakota" and the ""Minnesota, " con­ which have felled many other railroad pened to the Oxford Club?" was pub­ structed. His most powerful weapon in lines — is told in "The Watertown Ex­ lished in the December, 1973, issue of stimulating trade was the use of one rate press and the 'Hog and Human': M & St the Grand Gazette, a neighborhood on cargo traveling on both rail and L Passenger Service in South Dakota, new.spaper. steamship lines. The formula for setting 1884-1960," by Donovan L. Hofsoni- One ot the three incoiporators of the the ""through " rate was tailored to the in­ nier, in the Spring, 1973, issue of South Oxford Club was John W. G. Dunn, fa­ dividual situation and never made pub­ Dakota History. ther of the audior of the article. The club's lic. Through preferential rates, domestic The M & St L is the abbreviation of purpose was to "promote social inter­ shippers were unknowingly subsidizing the railway's full name, the Minneapolis course" and "'ph\sical exercise of aO exporters. and St. Louis. When the company was kinds. " Its members paid dues of $5.00 Trade with the Far East rose formed, it had planned to link those two (later $8.00) a year per family. At the significantly between 1902 and 1907. In cities. Circumstances prevented it, how­ time the club was started, the south side 1906, however, the Interstate Com­ ever, and the line reached West as far as of the block was a steep hollow from Ox­ merce Commission decided that, al­ Le Beau on the Missouri River. "Hog ford to Lexington. This ravine naturally though railroads could continue to offer and human" refers to its varied cargo: lent itself to a toboggan slide and, at the through rates, the land portion must be settlers, homesteaders, sportsmen, bottom, a skating rink. A warming house made public. Bather than prejudice rela­ salesmen, health seekers, celebrities, and bandstand were constructed. For a tions with domestic shippers, who were and vacationers, along with nonhuman number of years the block rang with the responsible for 95 per cent of his busi­ freight, baggage, and mail. Inevitably, sounds of hockey players, pleasure skat­ ness. Hill ga\e up his pursuit of Oriental improved transportation and communi­ ers, and tobogganers. Japanese lanterns trade. Mr. Best concludes that the cation brought as by-products the urges were strung around the rink, and on United States government policies in to tame the land, civilize the country, Saturday nights music filled the air. Skat­ addition to Japanese efforts helped close and turn the territory into a state. ing parties and masquerades were held. the door to Far Eastern trade. (For the The railroad ser\ed its purpose. Then But gradually buildings sprang up and record, Minnesota History published a both passenger travel and freight de­ began to crowd around the block, mem­ longer article on much the same subject clined over the years. The United States bership in the Oxford Club dechned, and — Howard Schonberger's ""James J. Hill Post Office's decision to discontinue mail in 1928 it went out of existence. It was and the Trade witli the Orient" — in its service in May, 1960, was the line's death not long before all traces of the club were Winter, 1968, issue, but it is not cited by knell. In July, 1960, the Watertown Ex­ obliterated. Dump trucks quickly filled Mr. Best.) press made its last run. the ra\ine, and commercial buildings began to dominate the street. THE NINTH ANNUAL Northern Great The article is illustrated with photo­ Plains Conference will be held in M;in- graphs taken by John W. G. Dunn, an THREE MAIN ARTICLES are featured kato on October 17-19, 1974, with in the November, 1973, issue of inveterate recorder of St. Paul and St. Mankato State College and Gustavus Croix scenes in earlier years. Immigration History Newsletter, spon­ Adolphus CoUege, St. Peter, as co-hosts. sored by the Minnesota Historical Soci­ Proposals for papers or sessions in all ety. The first article is on resources of the IN THE EARLY 1900s railroad builder fields of history should be sent to Wil­ National Archi\es for ethnic research; James J HiU of St. Paul attempted to liam E. Lass, Department of Histoiy, the second is on Nordic emigrant re­ Mankato State CoUege, Mankato, Min­ increase trade with the Far East, an ef­ search; and the last is about a sample nesota ,56001. fort described in a short article by Gary course in ethnic dynamics offered at Dean Best, "James J. Hill's 'Lost Oppor­ Case Western Resen'e University. News tunity on the Pacific,' " published in the FOR SEVENTY-SIX years, the ""Water- about organizations, meetings, appoint­ January, 1973, issue of Pacific Northwest town E.xpress" was an important link ments, research, and publications is also Quarterly. between the Twin Cities and the settle­ included in the newsletter, edited by Hill linked up his railroad lines first ments spread halfway across South Carlton G. Qualey.

316 Minnesota History ince 1849, when it was chartered by the firsts territoria, l legislature, the Minnesota Histor­ THE ical Society has been preserving a record of the state's history. Its outstanding library and its vast collection of manuscripts, rr newspapers, pictures, and museum objects reflect this activity. The society also interprets Minne­ sota's past, telling the story of the state iiiipj and region through publications, museum displays, tours, institutes, and restoration of historic HISTORICAL sites. The work of the society is supported in part by the state and in part by private contributions, grants, and membership dues. SOCIETY It is a chartered public institution governed by an executive council of interested citizens and belonging to all who support it through mem­ bership and participation in its programs. You are cordially invited to use its resources and to join in its efforts to make Minnesota a community with a sense of strength from the past and purpose for the future.

OFFICERS COUNCIL

E. NEIL MATTSON ELMER L. ANDERSEN BOWER HAWTHORNE TERENCE O'BRIEN President T. R. ANDERSON EDGAR F. JOHNSON CLAYTON OBERMEIER BONALD M. HUBBS CHARLES W. ARNASON Vice-president RUSSELL JOHNSON PETER S. POPOVICH PIERCE BUTLER WILLIAM G. KIRCHNER RIGHT REVEREND KENNETH POVISH PAUL L. PARKER HORACE CHAMBERLAIN Vice-president CHARLES A. LINDBERGH GORDON ROSENMEIER MRS. FRANK CHESLEY CURTIS L. ROY RODNEY C. LOEHR ROBERT L. ROSSMAN Vice-president CARL H. CHRISLOCK RoHERT S. MACFARLANE JOHN J COSTELLO DONALD B. SHANK EussELL W. FRIDLEY Secretary THOMAS M. CROSBY GENE MAMMENGA ROBERT J. SIVERTSEN

HIRAM M. DRACHE MRS. CHARLES R. MCCOY BARBARA STUHLER KENNON V. ROTHCHILD Treasurer JAMES R. ECKMAN LOUIS M. MOORE WALTER N. TRENERRY Copyright of Minnesota History is the property of the Minnesota Historical Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder’s express written permission. Users may print, download, or email articles, however, for individual use.

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