125 YEARS AGO: 1894
The dog poisoner has resumed business in Hutchinson. Henry Wallen’s setter was killed the first of the week and three others came near dying. The dog poisoner is viler and more cowardly than the mangiest cur.
Hutchinson is becoming quite a shipping point for baled hay. Benjamin Ross sent to St. Paul two cars, D.A. Fickling two and W.E. Harrington one.
Mr. Albert Dettman, Acoma Township, and Miss Smith, Lynn Township, were united in marriage. Many friends hereabouts extend congratulations.
The Great Northern strike has been settled by a board of arbitrators composed of 12 businessmen of the Twin Cities. Seventy-five percent of the reduction in wages since Aug. 1, 1893, has been restored.
100 YEARS AGO: 1919
The word boom has been considerably overworked, but that seems to be the only word that exactly describes the way things are starting up this spring in the City of Mine and Thine. In every part of town — business and residence — there is something doing in the building line and the season has only just begun.
For years, J.W. Nightengale, the produce man, has made the point that there is a fine opening in Hutchinson for a chicken hatchery. He recently broke ground near his home and poultry ranch on Lynn Road for a plant, which will be large, modern and equipped for hatching incubator chickens in season by the hundreds.
The Luce Line management, appreciating Hutchinson’s interest in the arrival of the 151st men in the Twin Cities, has tendered a special train at the low fare of $2 for the round trip. The train will leave Hutchinson at about 7 a.m.
Harbor Hanson brought back from France one of the oddest and most suggestive souvenirs, a statuette of wood made by a German prisoner who hated the Kaiser. The prisoner was glad of the chance to let Harbor have it in exchange for a package of Bull Durham.
75 YEARS AGO: 1944
More than 3 inches of rain fell on Hutchinson in a three-day period, making most highways impassable and leaving only one truck route into the city, State Highway 15 from the south. Seeding of small grains, estimated at only 40 percent, is already three weeks behind schedule. The Minnesota Western train could not make its trip west of here because of a culvert washout 4 miles west of Hutchinson.
Several million northern pike fry were planted in the following area lakes: Marion, Otter, Hook, Belle, Jennie, Wolf, Hoff, Eagle, Erie, Minnebelle, Stella, Washington and Manuella. Gopher Campfire Club members assisted state Game and Fish Department workers. Walleye pike fry will also be planted in the near future.
Dairy production payments for March and April are ready. The rates previously announced are 50 cents per hundredweight for whole milk and 8 cents per pound for butter fat.
50 YEARS AGO: 1969
Bob Peterson, vice president of Rockite Silo Inc., is the new president of the Hutchinson Jaycees. He succeeds Keith Richards.
The field of candidates for the annual school board election in Hutchinson increased to six when Bob Stearns filed, joining Cal Bonniwell, Roger DeKoster, Clifford Benson, William Piehl and Roger K. Olson.
The Hutchinson High School track team racked up 69 points to take second place at the Manitou Relays at St. Olaf College in Northfield. Steve Kohls won the 100-yard dash.
25 YEARS AGO: 1994
There may be an effort under way in McLeod County to gather enough taxpayer signatures to force the county board to set a referendum vote on a proposed $5.6 million courthouse expansion. The county board approved a plan last month that would allow the county to bypass a bonding referendum for the courthouse expansion.
As the Legislature debates the future of Northern State Power’s Prairie Island nuclear plant, Hutchinson Utilities is working steadily on ensuring a stable future for its customers. Prairie Island is in Red Wing. The energy it supplies is part of a pool of which Hutchinson Utilities is a member. Regardless of the Prairie Island outcome, the Utilities’ new power generating plant will supply the city with a steady source of inexpensive power. It is large enough to service Hutchinson, and then some.
Dozens of cyclists from across the state traveled to Hutchinson May 1 to compete in the third annual McLeod County Road Race. The event, sponsored by the Flat City Cycling Club, featured riders of various skill levels competing in one of three divisions.
