Fort Pomme de Terre

In an earlier story, I told you about a unique flag and  mentioned that this year  is the 150th commemoration of the Sioux or Dakota War which originated in southern Minnesota.  Several weeks ago the Grant County Historical Museum hosted tours to the original  site of Fort Pomme de Terre,  which is today a farmstead.  In February 1863, a directive was sent to commanding officers in Mn. that bullet proof stockades were to be constructed in the western regions of the state, including several along the Abercrombie Trail.  Fort Pomme de Terre would became the principal outpost  between Alexandria  and Fort Abecrombie, which was located along the Red River.   This trail was a major "highway" for ox carts, military supply trains, settlers and others looking to start businesses or perspective farmers wanting to buy land..   Today the land upon which the fort was built is privately owned and the caretakers are a family living in a house where fort buildings once stood.   We gathered in front of a grave site where two soldiers stationed at the fort were killed by Indians on May 3, 1863.   Adam Hair/Hare and Zenas Blackman had set out in search of goose eggs one morning. One of the stories of this day, tells of their dog returning to the fort covered in blood so a search party was sent out and soon recovered the bodies.  Initially, they were buried outside the walls in a wagon box where they lay undisturbed until the 1930s when a local Legion post decided to commemorate their death by establishing a proper grave site and marker.  A woman who was just a child when her family first moved there, remembered the approximate location of the buried wagon because when she and her father would go to fetch water, they would often lay flowers in commemoration of the two young men who lost their lives in that place.  There was also another soldier killed that day farther to the west at a site south of present day Fergus Falls.  He was accompanying a farmer taking cattle to the troops at Fort Abercrombie.  His name was Comfort Luddington. The teamster was Silas Foote.  Most of the soldiers stationed at this fort were from Fillmore County in Minnesota.  Despite these deaths, life at the fort and friendships with the neighboring Indians seemed to be peaceful and pleasant according to letters and diaries left by those who lived there at that time.  The fort was only occupied for 3 or 4 years so by 1865, local settlers were already making use of the timbers and logs and actual buildings by constructing other homes or barns on their newly acquired property.  Today, the grave is surrounded by tall trees and thick brush and usually the only witnesses to the passing of the years is the family living close by.

Adam Hair and Zenus Blackman burial monument.

Replica of Fort Pomme de Terre 

Norwegian language Uncle Tom's Cabin

I have been helping organize the 4th annual Oldies But Goodies Sale, which is a major fundraising event for the Grant County Historical Museum and Veterans Hall in Elbow Lake, Minnesota.  Every year seems to be getting bigger and better than the previous year----isn't that what it's all about?  Some really interesting items were donated for the sale on Saturday, Aug 18th 8:00 to 4:00.  Many of them are in an album on my business facebook page which can be accessed by clicking on the icon on this blog.  One of the really unique treasures is Uncle Tom's Cabin in Norwegian!  This area was settled by many families from several Scandinavian countries and to this day this is probably the dominant ethnic group.  Several heirs have been sorting through, cleaning out and deciding what to do with parents or grandparents collections of saved goods.  This book has wonderful illustrations, which caught my eye.  Even though I am unable to read or speak Norwegian,( my mom taught me to say I canna snok a Norsk--- spelling?)  people seem to understand those rudimentary words.  I was able to quickly figure out the title of the book and when I opened it and saw the simply drawn black and white illustrations, I thought, what a wonderful book to add to a collection of classics.  Hope you enjoy the examples I've included and take a little time to see the other things that will be for sale!

Unknown maker

A few years ago on a trip to Atlanta to see relatives and to do some shopping at favorite antique stores, I came across this quilt.  For some reason, it immediately spoke to me and it was a very reasonable price, so it came home with me. However, there was more to this quilt than just an attractive color combination----I spent a good deal of time checking the fabrics, sewing stitches and the patterns.  A variety of  patchwork designs, simple sewing stitches:  this had to be older than even those made by my grandmothers in the early 1890s.  The feel of the fabrics indicate age and use and fragility.  I would love to know who worked on this quilt and how long it took to save enough "pieces" to finally put it together.  I would also like to know who used it and where they lived.  Quilts are examples of marvelous cultural artistry and so many have been tossed or ripped apart for rags and underappreciated for the time and a effort and yes, the love that went into these often utilitarian household goods.  The making of crazy quilts kept children quiet in times of illness when they would learn their fancy stitches, or friends groups or church groups or homemakers groups put together quilts that included names.  Then there were those made by a single person, sewing alone by kerosene light or the glow of a fireplace.  I think the woman who made this was alone and sewing with pride.

Traveling light.

Luggage wagon at Grant County Museum in Elbow Lake, Mn

I was fortunate to have had the chance to visit Ellis Island while at an ESL (English for speakers of other languages) convention in New York City many years ago.  It was such a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city when we entered the facility and looked through the empty rooms where those long ago immigrants entered into this country with such high expectations and probably a good deal of fear of the unknown.  Imagine the crowded benches and overflow of bags, trunks, suitcases in which everything they owned was stored.  No doubt many lost track of the few possessions they were able to bring and ended up without the any precious belongings.   Some displays that have remained in my memory were large railroad wagons piled high with satchels and other suitcases that were collected to replicate the scene in those early days.  At the Grant County Historical Museum in Elbow Lake, Minnesota, there is a similar display with similar items which always makes me wonder what those early travelers brought to America initially, or what did the pioneers bring when they ventured farther west.  No doubt, they traveled with bare necessities.

THE FLAG

I spend a lot of time at the Grant County Historical Museum and Veterans Hall in Elbow Lake, Minnesota.  Since my paternal grandparents settled in Pomme de Terre in 1873, I have collected numerous stories and artifacts pertaining to this area in Minnesota.  Part of the mystique of history is trying to understand events and the people who lived through them.  This year Minnesota commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Sioux Uprising of 1862, which occurred in southern Minnesota but which spread fear throughout the state.  Small forts were constructed between Fort Snelling in St. Paul, to Fort Abecrombie on the western border on the Red River.  The United States was also fighting the Civil War, so significant military support was not available to be sent to this area. Military units with supplies traveled constantly  through the Pomme de Terre area, where a Fort was constructed which mostly served as a stagecoach station and a refuge for local settlers.  However, Hatch's Battalion was stationed here for some time and military families as well as Indian guides lived within the log walls.  The fort was used for a short period--perhaps 3 to 4 years before it was deemed safe and the settlers returned to a normal routine.  There is a replica of Fort Pomme de Terre at the museum and for years a flag attached to a simple branch with a partial log stand has stood in the middle of that display.  It is crudely made with hand stitching on rough textured red, white and blue cloth.   It has 2 blue stars.   No record of origin or donation  has ever been found, so who made it?   Did it belong to a soldier,     a settler .................?     who?

Unique Auction Finds

Not sure if it is a K9 collar or part of a military bridle?

Part of a vintage catcher's uniform.

Last weekend we attended an auction near my husband's hometown in southern Minnesota.  We always try to watch for sales of long time residents because there are usually items that are meaningful to him and his growing up days.  He likes to find things that advertise businesses or families that are no longer around and this time the family having the sale was familiar to him, in that he had gone to school with several of the children.  The father had a car dealership years ago in a small nearby town, but also was engaged in farming a large acreage, which  included  a spacious farmstead with lots of out buildings.  The buildings became the storage area for most of the family cast offs and out of date farm equipment.  People who lived during the Great Depression tended not to throw anything away so there were many things to be found.  Our treasures  included part of a vintage baseball catchers uniform without a shirt to identify the name of the team or town, and a puzzle----looked like a dog collar with a disc pin (an officer's?) which might be part of a bridle instead of an old K9 collar.  Will look forward to learning more about this.  The catcher's uniform was special because my husband was a catcher during high school as well as for that nearby town team for many years----who knows who might have worn this old baseball equipment!

A mug of his own!

Once upon a time gentlemen frequented barber shops daily for shaves and trims.  Wow, the whiskered looks of macho actors, musicians and just plain guys these days are a far cry from the carefully manicured mustaches and beards of old.  It was considered a badge of one's social status if a gentleman arrived at the barber shop for his daily visit and the barber reached up to a beautiful cupboard made especially for shaving mugs and proceeded to use one with either the individual's name, occupation or both in writing on the front.  The one in my photo is not a shaving mug per se, but perhaps was used as one.  This mug was given to Mr. J.N. Greathouse, who was  from Muscatine, Iowa.  He  was the contractor of the Masonic Hall in Oelwein, Iowa.  The mug is nicely decorated with symbols of the Masonic order, in addition to having the gentleman's name , so it falls into a rather unique category for collectors.  I was able to find information about Mr. Greathouse (isn't it a rather grand name) so a genealogist, Mason, Iowan, mug collectors could all be happy owning this item.  It can be seen at Exit 55 in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.

Brand new pair of roller skates-------

Ye olde clamp on skates!

Nary a skate key to be found---but what a variety!

No doubt you've heard the song commonly referred to as the roller skate song or its official title "Brand New Key."  Catchy number, simple lyrics no back up band, no hard rock accompaniment: just a simple little tune for a toy that probably every kid in the country played with growing up.  Those were the clamp on metal skates which were so popular until the shoe boot style became the fad.  Pom poms on the ends of laces, cute and colorful little suitcase to carry them in and skating at an indoor roller skating rink.  I even joined a "mom's morning skate group" when my kids were growing up and later took my ESL classes to learn all about a real American past time for kids!  As a child, I remember having to go a block away to skate because we didn't have sidewalks in front of our house until I was much older but it was a fun time with all of the neighborhood joining in. Lots of skinned knees, to be sure, but at least I could stand up with roller skates whereas ice skates were a whole other story!   I've got a brand new pair of roller skates, you've got a brand new key, I think that we should get together and try them out, to see.....

Elaine's legacy

Old Lake Calhoun boat docking area---Minneapolis area

Outdoor market scene.

Elaine was my son's awesomely wonderful sweet mother in law who passed away last week after a number of years of declining health---she was 89.  Her legacy will live on through her creative talents: she was a gifted artist who tried her hand at many mediums and her family, old friends and neighbors have examples of her considerable output of artistic energy.  She was honored last week at a remembrance party since she had requested there be no funeral so her 3 daughters, son  and husband certainly provided a day to remember Elaine with fabulous food, ambiance, stories and lots of laughter, which is just the way she would have wanted it. Several people brought paintings that had been given in friendship years ago but had never been seen by her children so those added joy to the gathering.  Elaine and Mac visited us here at the lake a number of years ago and she was thrilled with the sparkling water.  I once sent a photo card which pictured our dock: her response was that her spirit flew right down and sat on the bench to enjoy the view.  I have saved every greeting card she sent for some 17 years because she always wrote a note on tablet paper tucked inside some wonderful photo which can be framed.  She was truly a vintage lady inside and out.

HANDWRITING ON THE WALL

The other day I stopped at Pomme de Terre on my way to a nearby town to pick some lilacs that have been growing by the cemetery fence for many years. They are very woody and the blooms are not as perky as on newer bushes.  But, I love the aroma and knew it would permeate the house and our weekend fishing guests loved them.  I decided to take a picture of the back wall of the little brick school house where generations of children have gone to school.  I talked about it in Echos Across the Prairie and thought you might enjoy seeing the initials carved into the brick.  I like to believe the WS carved in several locations may have been done by my father, but several families in the past have had children with those very initials.  But, I can imagine my dad or as my sons used to call him "Boppie" wanting to leave a sign that he had indeed been there.  Sort of like a Kilroy was here message to all who come after!

Bottles and more Bottles

Bottles bottles everywhere but not a drop in any.  Sometimes I wonder what the fascination is in collecting different types of bottles/glasses/jars etc.  But when looking through them, some have bubbles or strange little blurps as though a breath of air has been caught between layers of glass.  There are wonderful sites on line for seeking history and information on an assortment of styles and types of glass as well as the years in which they were blown or molded.  Imagine the history of an old bottle recovered from beneath an old saloon or pub.  Or---horrors can you picture yourself with shovel or trowel uncovering them from an outdoor biffie???  We live by a lake and when the water is low, we have walked the shoreline and found shards of crockery, stoneware and even small pieces of flow blue dishes.  Occasionally we find bottles as we walk through the woods.  We do know the location of an outdoor facility, but so far haven't ventured to find out what is buried beneath the flowers that bloom on the spot!  Relatives in Tacoma once hid many bottles of liquor and wine behind the basement walls during the depression and future owners were greatly surprised when they began to remodel for a family room!  Some bottles can be traced using the etched name of the company and city in which it originated others have preserved little bottles in collections.    Good hunting!

A Mystery Box

I love reading mysteries, searching for past generations of my family, digging for information to provide provenance for antiques we buy--always new things to learn!  In an earlier post I told about shopping at the antique mall in Pardeville, Wisc. and included some pictures of the primitives for sale there.  In one of the booths I was drawn to a small reddish box sitting in the corner of a shelf in a large cupboard.  Upon picking it up, looking at the tag this is what I read:  Official  "State of Minnesota" wooden box--possibly a ballot box.  "State of Minnesota" still readable--state seal is not.  Well, did I need encouragement or persuasion?  I walked immediately to the front desk to add it to my stash of goods.  This little box is still in my possession and will remain with me.  Could it have been a ballot box?  Could it have been used to collect mail somewhere in the countryside?  Could it have been nailed to the seat of a stagecoach? Could it have held government papers?  There are two large holes in the bottom as you can see in the picture so it was obviously attached to something.   Oh, the possibilities for my imagination to run rampant.  I think in terms of life at Pomme de Terre, Grant County in the time of my great grandparents which I wrote about in Echos of the Past.   Ah yes, could it have been.............

Fresh supplies for Yesterdays in Alexandria!

Once a week we make a trip to Alexandria with different merchandise to add to our booth at Yesterdays.  It's always fun to visit with Ron, Gale, Jeff or Carnie as they usually have updates on what's selling, interesting stories about encounters they've had and just talking shop.  In addition, there are always new displays and ideas to check out.  Interesting how dynamics can be so opposite in every shop and what sells in one, doesn't necessarily go in another---that's why we like to be able to rotate inventory.  Hope those of you who are within driving distance of Fergus Falls, Alexandria and Clear lake in Minnesota, will take the opportunity to do some real antique shopping in this beautiful lake area.  Bring your fishing poles just in case you'd like to stop for a few days.  Opening fishing on Mom's Day weekend----hey great gift!  Just hand her the check book and she can entertain herself looking for treasures.  But then, there's always lay away!!!!

Nice shabby style hanging mirror/ comb pocket/towel bar.

Colors are wonderful in this camp blanket.

cute little chippy youth chair minus the bread board.

Beautiful aqua chenille bedspread/flowers!

This sweet little purse is signed and in mint condition.

Aasness Antique Auction

Tins were a hot commodity.

fabulous firescreen

Two fine pine pieces: dresser, washstand

 

This was in mint condition with drawers intact.

 

Spent Fri evening plus all day Saturday at another fabulous auction featuring items from a collector who had spent many years adding to and living with wonderful antiques.  Cary Aasness related that over time he had sold her many pieces when there used to be farm sales featuring the homestead keepsakes of everyday
living and that now he felt privileged to be asked to send her treasures on their way again.  This auction was also on proxibid, but as the listed items sold, it was apparent there were buyers in the audience who weren't going to let this opportunity to buy increasingly hard to find mint condition antiques slip away.  Some final bids were quite amazing, at least to me, but it only takes two to create a bidding frenzy! Aasness Auction
Company tends to attract some outstanding antique collections of all types so you may want to check out Midwest Auctions now and then or get on his mailing list.  No, I'm not getting a kick back-----I bought a few things that I'll share later on my business facebook page or here so be sure to check later.  We just know a good auctioneer when we see him/her and like to attend their sales.  Good hunting and bidding!!!

Lots of Red Wing stoneware for the collectors.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

Fulda, Mn

Granite Falls, Mn

Okoboji , Iowa

Red Rock, Iowa

Just can't get enough of searching for treasures---but we do seem to head farther afield looking for those elusive just perfect items. Spent 5 days in SW Mn, NW Iowa and Western South Dakota, following I-29 from the Tea and Canton area up to Brookings and then home.  Our business partners had never been to some of our favorite shops so returned to several we had been in only 3 weeks before.  BUT, of course, we managed to find some more goodies to fill the truck!  On my business facebook page, I mentioned several things that really peeve us---advertising for shops that have gone out of business or that aren't open when the brochures or internet say they are.  However, there seem to be others cropping up and occasional sales galore.  We didn't get to the Benson flea market event in Sioux Falls on the weekend, due to a pulled leg muscle, so will have to try in the fall.  The truck and van were pretty much loaded so guess our efforts were rewarded.  Now as my hubby says:  SELL  SELL SELL.

A weekend at Weekend Cottage

Thought I needed to bring you up to speed on what's new at Weekend Cottage in Clear Lake.  In an earlier blog I described the three shops where we rent space.  Each time we spend our 1 day a month working here, we meet many new people coming from the "north" who either rent cabins or who have second homes in that area.  Always fun to compare notes and talk about antiques and collectibles.  Customers  are invariably interested in the history of the house and always amazed to learn that 9 children grew up in this  little farmhouse style home.  No doubt, it was in the country when it was first built and probably included acreage.  There are two sloped ceiling bedrooms upstairs and probably had two down with one bathroom, although I don't know the entire story of the remodeling that took place.  But this little house must have been bursting at the seams with eleven people going about their daily lives in such a small space.  Today it is bursting with goods to be sold and includes the yard, a porch and lodge (read 2 car garage) that are equally filled to the brim with treasures waiting for new owners. The Cottage is  open every weekend:  Fri - Sun and starting in May will be open 10 to 6 pm.  Okay, lake people and city people, now is the time to check out the goodies!!!