RAMSEY COUNTY Crex Carpet Company Revisited Page 18 Summer 2006 Volume 41, Number 2

He Was Mechanic Arts” Mechanic Arts High School The Dietrich Lange Years, 1916-1939

A hand-tinted portrait of Dietrich Lange, who served as principal of Mechanic Arts High School between 1916 and 1939. Photo courtesy of John W. Mittelstadt. Photography by Maureen McGinn. RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORY Executive Director Priscilla Farnham Founding Editor (1964—2006) Virginia Brainard Kunz Editor John M. Lindley Volume 41, Number 2 Summer 2006 RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY THE MISSION STATEMENT OF THE RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY BOARD OF DIRECTORS ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN JULY 2003: Howard Guthmann Chair The Ramsey County Historical Society shall discover, collect, W. Andrew Boss preserve and interpret the history of the county for the general public, President recreate the historical context in which we live and work, and make Judith Frost Lewis First Vice President available the historical resources of the county. The Society’s major Paul A. Verret responsibility is its stewardship over this history. Second Vice President Joan Higinbotham Secretary CONTENTS J. Scott Hutton Treasurer Duke Addicks, Charles L. Bathke, 3 Letters W. Andrew Boss, Thomas H. Boyd, 4 “He Was Mechanic Arts ” Norlin Boyum, Carolyn Brusseau, Norbert Conzemius, Anne Cowie, Charlton Dietz, Mechanic Arts High School: The Dietrich Lange Years, Joanne A. Englund, Robert F. Garland, 1916-1939 Howard Guthmann, Joan Higinbotham, John Holman, J. Scott Hutton, Judith Frost John W. Larson Lewis, George A. Mairs, Laurie Murphy, Richard H. Nicholson, Marla Ordway, 18 “Dreams of the Immensity of the Future ” Marvin J. Pertzik, Jay Pfaender, James A. Crex Carpet Company Revisited Russell, David Thune, Paul A. Verret, Glenn Wiessner, Richard Wilhoit, Laurie Zenner. Paul D. Nelson Richard T. Murphy Sr. 22 Fighting Billy Miske Director Emeritus The Heart of a Champion EDITORIAL BOARD Paul Picard Anne Cowie, chair, James B. Bell, John Diers, Thomas H. Boyd, Tom Kelley, Laurie Murphy, 24 Book Reviews Richard H. Nicholson, Paul D. Nelson, Jay Pfaender, David Riehle, G. Richard Slade, Steve Trimble, Mary Lethert Wingerd. Publication of Ramsey County History is supported in part by a gift from HONORARY ADVISORY BOARD Clara M. Claussen and Frieda H. Claussen in memory of Henry H. Cowie Jr. Olivia I. Dodge, William Fallon, William and by a contribution from the late Reuel D. Harmon Finney, Robert S. Hess, George Latimer, Joseph S. Micallef, Robert Mirick, Marvin J. Pertzik, James Reagan, Rosalie E. Wahl, Donald D. Wozniak.

RAMSEY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Tony Bennett, chair A Message from the Editorial Board Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt Commissioner Toni Carter Commissioner Rafael Ortega ood historical research and writing ultimately reveals the stories of people Commissioner Janice Rettman from a new perspective. In his history of diverse Mechanics Arts High School, Commissioner Jan Parker G Commissioner Jim McDonough John W. Larson shares his insights on the influence of a committed principal and En­ glish teachers on the later careers of graduates, including Roy Wilkins and Harry Black- David Twa, manager, Ramsey County mun. Paul D. Nelson shows how his earlier article on the Crex Carpet Company led to Ramsey County History is published quarterly a new discovery: memoirs of the company’s first president, Michael J. O’Shaughnessy. by the Ramsey County Historical Society, 323 Landmark Center, 75 W. Fifth Street, St. And Paul Picard outlines the story of Billy Miske, a St. Paul boxer who took on Jack Paul, Minn. 55102 (651-222-0701). Printed in Dempsey in 1920 despite an illness that would soon take his life. We are proud to help U.S.A. Copyright © 2006, Ramsey County His­ preserve accounts like these, which otherwise would go unrecognized, and showcase torical Society. ISSN Number 0485-9758. All rights reserved. No part of this publication them for our wider member audience. As you hold this magazine, you are in a unique may be reprinted or otherwise reproduced position to read these stories: share the wealth and recruit a new member today! without written permission from the pub­ Anne Cowie, lisher. The Society assumes no responsibility for statements made by contributors. Fax 651- Chair, Editorial Board 223-8539; e-mail address [email protected]; web site address www.rchs.com.

2 RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORY Book Reviews

St. Paul’s Architecture: for its ecumenical spirit, were scarcely A History pleased to see their city’s skyline domi­ ST. PAUL’S nated by a foreign Catholic shrine. It fell Jeffery A. Hess and ARCHITECTURE to the First Baptist Church . . . to re­ Paul Clifford Larson deem the honor of the Reformation.” Minneapolis: University of Architectural history can be told in Minnesota Press, 2006 a number of ways. The sweeping “big 278 pages, $34.95 picture” drama described above, is very effective. I also found the author’s Reviewed by Brian McMahon “context” analysis of ten projects built between 1985 and 2000 to be highly he architectural heritage of Min­ successful. The authors used a case- Tnesota’s capital city has finally re­ study approach because they felt that a ceived a serious examination in this im­ different perspective was needed with pressive volume by Jeffery A. Hess and “in-fill” architecture in a completely de­ Paul Clifford Larson. The opening sen­ veloped city. They were also uncomfort­ tence of St. Paul’s Architecture: A His­ able rendering a premature historical or tory, sets out not only the lofty goals of architectural judgment on these build­ the book, but also the literary élan being World War II decline of the business ings. Ironically, these nonjudgmental offered to the reader for this enjoyable district partially attributable to compe­ “context” studies often provided more tour of over 150 years of architectural tition with Minneapolis. In a planning interesting architectural insights than history. “Before the airplane, before the study done by Raymond Loewy Asso­ many of their critiques throughout the motor car, before the railroad, there was ciates in 1945, the “downtown area of book that relied on more traditional the river, and the grandest of all was the another city,” unnamed in the report, “stylistic” analysis. Mississippi, a majestic glide of water was essentially the cause of the decline. Architectural styles are a helpful 2,350 miles long, sweeping through the Lowey noted, “The proximity of this and perhaps efficient way of organizing heartland of the young American nation, competing city heightens the danger of things, but as with stereotypes, over-re­ carrying all manner of traffic, trade, and the situation, for it is virtually as easy liance can sometimes limit independent tradition upstream and downstream, be­ for the people of St. Paul to visit their analysis and fresh observation. This tween Minnesota and the Gulf of Mex­ neighbor’s downtown area as it is to occurred on several occasions. For ex­ ico.” With expectations now raised, the visit their own.” When the community ample, in covering the New York Life reader quickly learns of the origins and needed to be mobilized to either build Insurance Company Building, ca. 1900 development of St. Paul as a frontier or rebuild a city, the surest motivator (razed) the authors described “an asym­ town with an account that is brisk and was to invoke the threat of the rival city. metrical double tower layered in the insightful. In addition to the significance Hess and Larson skillfully use this com­ conventional Renaissance Revival fash­ of the Mississippi River, another major petitive climate to enhance their engag­ ion but surmounted by an elaborately influence is quickly introduced—the ri­ ing narrative with a dramatic tension. decorated attic and a stepped gable on valry with the city across the river. Both Religious congregations, we also each of the facades.” While this descrip­ continue to shape the physical form of learn, were not immune from using tion is certainly accurate, I was left won­ St. Paul to the present day. competition as a motivator—and were dering why this high-rise office project The book is at its best in this open­ not spared from the authors’ wit. The was split into two towers. Was it a desire ing chapter describing how this rivalry building of Assumption Church seemed to bring more light and air into middle shaped the downtown district, and at “to have caused a certain amount of con­ of the office spaces? Other questions the end when recounting the serious sternation among neighboring Protestant come to mind. What was the impact of challenges brought about by the post- congregations who, in an age not known this innovative floor plan on the layout

24 RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORY of the elevator banks? And would this ing newspapers, at a busy intersection of unusual design have been considered Fourth and Jackson streets, directly kitty- for a speculative office building rather comer from the Railroad Building. On a than for a corporate user? And how did good day he made as much as fifty cents, high-speed elevators, and later, air con­ which he took home to his mother. ditioning influence office design? And By the time he was ten years old, so on. Stylistic analysis alone provides Vic Tedesco was taking music lessons us with insufficient information. at the Christ Child Community Center Even as the authors make heavy use on Payne Avenue. His sense of humor of stylistic analysis, they do so with shows throughout the book, but it is es­ irony and wit. In describing the transi­ pecially entertaining as he relates his tion from later Greek Revival to Fed­ childhood circumstances. He reveals this eral, they acknowledge “it is difficult is a chapter on his free guitar lessons at to decide where one style ‘stopped’ and the Christ Child Center (the predecessor the other ‘began.’” They describe the of today’s Merrick Center), a chapter he “Queen Anne” label as “chronologically titles “I Discover Music—and Also That challenged.” One architect had a “sig­ I Am Poor.” He was offended when a nature combinatorial style, drawing on photo of him and his instructor appeared elements of the English Renaissance as in the newspaper with a caption stating well as the current Queen Anne and Ro­ that the was “underprivileged.” He was manesque fashions.” They also describe so offended he quit his lessons. a house that “defies classification under As a second-generation Italian- nights a week at a popular neighborhood any category other than ‘eclectic.’” American, Tedesco recalls experiences bar making $ 18 a week. It was there that St. Paul’s Architecture is a thor­ from his childhood with extraordinary he met Florence. He and Florence were oughly researched book that is far more detail. He started fife on May 22, 1922, married in April 1947. They had three than a history of buildings. It is an en­ in a close-knit, predominantly Italian, children: Patricia, Elizabeth, and Tony. tertaining and enlightening study of a community in St. Paul, which came to Tedesco tried many jobs, but music was prominent city in America’s heartland, be called Railroad Island because of the his anchor in lean years. In 1948 Tedes­ and its place in the world. tracks of the Great Northern and North­ co’s brother Albert passed on to Vic a ern Pacific railroads separated it from magazine called Broadcasting. In it he Brian McMahon is an architectural his­ the adjacent neighborhoods. Later his spotted an ad by Larry Andrews of Dav­ torian, an occasional contributor to this family moved from this homogeneous enport, Iowa, that said, “Let me build magazine, and the executive director of neighborhood to one adjoining the city your radio station from the idea to the University UNITED in St. Paul. market, which included Italians, Jews, complete station.” Tedesco responded and Irish residents among others. Te­ to the ad, and it was the beginning of desco graduated from Johnson High a very successful career establishing I Always Sang for My Father School in 1941. and operating radio stations. He teamed Despite having quit his guitar les­ with Albert, who had graduated from (or Anyone Who Would Listen) sons, music, including singing, has re­ Beck School of Broadcasting, and Nick, Victor Tedesco with Trudi Hahn mained an important part of Tedesco’s his oldest brother who had been bom Minneapolis: Syren Book Company fife. In 1942 he worked in a meatpack­ in Italy, to start radio station WSHB in 236 pages, $15.95 ing plant during the day and in the eve­ Stillwater. He later managed a station in ning leading a band. After he entered the Austin, Minn. Reviewed by Thomas J. Kelley U.S. Army later that year, he was briefly The work was distributed among the assigned to the 10th Armored Division station partners. Vic became the music ic Tedesco’s memoir describes in band but then was reassigned to a regu­ librarian, sometimes radio salesman, Vclear and candid language his rise lar army division. Tedesco was quickly and “Uncle Vic,” who appeared on the from Swede Hollow, an immigrant en­ promoted to corporal and was assigned air at 5 PM on the Stillwater station and clave on St. Paul’s East Side, to become to serve as corporal of the guard. He the show became a big hit. Some adult a success in several fines of work. Most called it a “lucky break,” when he was listeners compared him to Mayor Fio- of the citizens of St. Paul know Vic Te­ subsequently assigned to another army rello desco as one of the most colorful mem­ band during the short time before he La Guardia, who during a newspaper bers of their City Council, but he was was discharged in February 1946. strike, read the comics on the air, com­ also a successful businessman. He was As soon as he returned to St. Paul, ics that listeners would otherwise have only nine years old when he began sell­ Tedesco resumed leading a band three missed. On the show “Uncle Vic” read

RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORY 25 stories, played recorded kids stories, When voters passed a new city char­ and even hosted a picnic attended by ter, which took effect in April 1972, 700 children. He finally gave up the council members no longer were heads show, but it continued to be a popular of departments. Tedesco compares the show with other hosts for many years. 1972 government structure unfavor­ Two other Tedesco business ventures ably to the commissioner council or­ were real estate and publishing a pro ganization. His disagreement with the football news tabloid. new charter, along with the fact that he Shortly after Christmas 1965 when had served on the council for twenty- Tedesco’s business ventures were at a one years and his pension would not low point, State Representative Richard increase if he continued to serve, were Richie and attorney Fiori Palarine urged contributing factors in his decision to Vic to run for the St. Paul City Council. retire in 1987, shortly before the end of Tedesco first opposed the suggestion, his eleventh term. He regards his part but after adjourning to a bar with his in saving the old Federal Courts Build­ two new supporters and having several ing as one of the most important acts martinis, he later agreed to run. of his political career. Under the direc­ His endorsement for the position by tion of John and Betty Musser, Frank the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Marzetelli, and a number of other civic was a cliffhanger. At about 3:00 AM, leaders, the building was restored. It re­ he received the party’s endorsement by opened in 1978 and became the home one vote. He went on to win in the gen­ of the Schubert Club and its Musical TWOgether: eral election in April 1966 and become Music Instrument Museum, COM- A Fictional History the second Italian in the city’s history to PAS/United Arts, North Star Opera, win a seat on the City Council. SteppingStone Theatre, the Ramsey Dick Harris At the time, St. Paul had a unique County Historical Society, and other Edina, Minn.: Beaver’s Pond Press, charter modeled after the one used by cultural and civic organizations.The re­ 2005 the city of Galveston, Tex., which had stored courthouse, which is now known 342 pages, $19.95 been created after that city had been dev­ as Landmark Center, also provides a astated in 1900 by the famous Galves­ venue for music, dance, theater, exhibi­ Reviewed by George Richard (Dick) ton hurricane. Each council member, tions, and other special events. Slade in addition to making decisions for the Tedesco had a large and diverse ex­ city as part of the council, also was head perience in business and music, and al­ 'TWOgether: A Fictional History by of one of the city’s six departments. The though he later retired from the council, J. Dick Harris is an intriguing book as mayor was responsible for deciding he never retired from music. Today in it stands on several crossroads of recent which council member was assigned to his eighties, Tedesco and his band con­ writing and publishing of memory-based which department. Tedesco requested tinue to entertain at public gatherings. I history. In the first place, the author in­ libraries, but Mayor Tom Byrne as­ Always Sang for My Father is more than sists that this is not a true story although signed him to Parks and Recreation, a an engaging story of Victor J. Tedesco’s it is based on and around members of major and diverse department. life. It should also be treated as an eye­ his mother’s family and their migration This memoir has numerous anec­ witness account of the history of the from Lithuania to the United States and dotes from Tedesco’s years in charge Italians in St. Paul and of St. Paul city relocation to Saint Paul and Grantsburg, of the department, including assisting government from the mid-1960s to the Wisconsin. The narrative in its best in the annual weighing of Julie, the mid-1980s. This memoir is nicely rein­ moments describes the early years of python, and encounters with Casey, forced with excellent black and white two cousins—Ytzhak (Ike) and Laba the gorilla, at Como Zoo as well as and color photos and many cartoons fea­ (Louie) Cohen—in Vilnius, Lithuania using his vacation time each year to turing Tedesco and his work on the city in the 1870s, a time when historic toler­ perform the jobs of his department em­ council that were drawn by Jerry Fear­ ance of the Jewish people was eroding ployees. Tedesco tried his hand at being ing, who for many years was the edito­ into harassment and persecution. By a laborer, elevator operator, librarian, rial cartoonist at the Pioneer Press. the early 1880s, the cousins determined garbage hauler, and other jobs. While to emigrate to the United States, one on the council, he used his entertain­ Thomas J. Kelley is a retired St. Paul through New York, the other via Mon­ ment talents to promote the Parks and and Ramsey County administrator. He treal. They maintained a correspon­ Recreation Department’s activities and is also a member o f the Society’s Edito­ dence that led, ultimately, to following facilities. rial Board. the suggestion of a new friend, “Uncle”

26 RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORY Chaim, “that there is an area not far ing two young couples off in the wilder­ from a city named St Paul which is lo­ ness. (The women carry the baggage.) cated near two rivers that should prove The volume is further graced with five to be a fine place to settle.” appendixes containing some facts and The story continues with the two ad­ some more fancy. Dick wrote this for venturers arriving (from different direc­ personal satisfaction and not to be a tions) in Grantsburg, settling in, finding best seller, and Oprah will not chastise and creating new jobs, and generally him for over-enhanced imagination. succeeding in the New World. They TWOgether is an interesting read for marry—Ike to his dear friend Riva Kan- those who want to enjoy an informal dinski from Vilnius; Louie first to Louise presentation of the great wave of immi­ Father Joseph “Nook” Sheep, a Native American, who gration to the United States at the end of Goiffon dies in delivering their son Hime; and the nineteenth century and the true set­ A Tale of a French later, to Elina Cardozo, a young woman tling of the frontier. Missionary from Montreal whom he had met dur­ Edited by ing his journey to Minnesota—increase George Richard (Dick) Slade is the au­ Duane Thein their families, and diversify their busi­ thor of Banking in the Great Northern nesses. From this point, the story erodes Territory: An Illustrated History and parish priest and wrote vividly about his somewhat, although it is textually en­ serves on the RCHS Editorial Board. experience forty years later. riched by newspaper snippets, real (per­ After surviving his winter ordeal, this haps) or created, and advertising mate­ stouthearted priest went on to serve par­ rial—all of which reflect Dick Harris’ Father Joseph Goiffon: A Tale ishes in White Bear Lake and Mounds sense of humor and perhaps real events, of a French Missionary View. He also built the third church of St. real people, and real businesses. Genevieve in Centerville (1870), which I am a friend of Dick and his family Duane Thein, editor had a growing French-Canadian popu­ and am familiar with many Jewish fami­ White Bear Lake, Minn.: White Bear lation in Anoka County, and the first lies in the community and I found my­ Stereoptics Co., 2005 church of St. Mary of the Lake, White self distracted by trying to identify the 92 pages, $20.00 Bear Lake (1880), which used French real personalities in the novel (Joseph during its first five years. Fr. Goiffan Goodkind? Joseph Elsinger?) from the Reviewed by Anne Cowie also took the lead in establishing the ones who are less real (Doc Ward?). In second church of St. John the Evangelist the way of being critical, I should also blinding snowstorm, a makeshift in Little Canada (1881). He is buried in admit that I was distracted by what ap­ Arefuge under a buffalo robe, and a Calvary Cemetery in St. Paul. peared to be overuse of Hebrew or Yid­ final rescue: this book presents Father Duane Thein’s careful editing job dish expressions necessitating a visit to Joseph Goiffon’s compelling first-per­ with Goiffon’s primary-source account the glossary at the back of the book; the son account of a near-disastrous trek (one of two he wrote about the incident) use of slang or corrupted English by the north from a Red River trading post to remains true to the author’s original frontier people was equally difficult and St. Boniface, near Fort Garry, Manitoba, intent while providing a thorough con­ had no equivalent glossary. in fall 1860. Goiffon’s party started out text for later readers. Thein has wisely I salute Dick for writing this book. in late October but was delayed by a recruited help to translate the original His research into the early times and broken oxcart axle. Goiffon went ahead French account into English (though people was careful, earnest, and I’m by himself on horseback, carrying no for purists the French version is also sure, a pleasure to put together, and that food and clad only in his priest’s cas­ provided) and consulted with church pleasure (and sense of accomplishment) sock and a light overcoat, and met a sur­ and other local historians in both United overrides the modest criticisms of style prise fall blizzard. He prayed and then States and Canada to provide back­ and finish. The other interesting part of slept wrapped in a buffalo robe under a ground material, including photographs. this publication is that he chose to use mound of snow, waking to find that his But in the end, Fr. Goiffon’s own matter- one of the several personal publishing horse had died and the robe had frozen of-fact voice sets the tone, underscoring media: Beaver’s Pond Press. The copy around him. He managed to stay alive his dedication, ingenuity, and toughness of the book that I have just finished for five days by eating horsemeat and in the face of a challenge that most mod­ reading would never have existed had eventually attracted the attention of a em readers cannot even imagine. I not e-mailed the press and ordered man who brought him to the Pembina it. Printed on demand, it arrived in two home of Joe Rolette, where he slowly Anne Cowie is a member of the RCHS days. The book cover is graced with a recovered. Although losing his right Board of Directors and chairs the primitive painting by the author reflect­ foot, Goiffon returned to his duties as a Society’s Editorial Board.

RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORY 27