123 YEARS AGO
March 31, 1898
The school budget — Enrollment in the high school for the month was 30. Twelve have perfect attendance. Clyde Wetcott and Willim Baier have left school on account of spring work. Several boys in the fourth room left school to go to work. The boys of the two upper rooms have organized several basketball teams. A game of snowball is scheduled for this week.
For baby carriages and anything in that line of furniture go to C.F. Rausch’s for lowest prices.
August Ahlewede, one of the wealthy and influential farmers of St. Lawrence is erecting a handsome residence on his farm. Photographer Colburn has made arrangements and will not stay at his old stand, ready for business again.
John Betz has started the foundation for a creamery at St. Joe. The creamery will be located at Betz’s old saw mill, a convenient place for farmers of that community.
Implement dealer Habegger received a carload of buggies and spring wagons and has them on display in his ware rooms.
Dentist Orr has opened an office next door south of Kehrer’s to attend any who call for his professional services.
Sunday started with a cold north wind blowing light rain falling and sleet coming. Snow fell all day and night. By Monday we had nearly five inches of wet, compact snow all over. The days are bright and clear with little effect on the snow. We have been enjoying three days of the best sleighing of the winter. This morning another half-inch fell.
100 YEARS AGO
March 31, 1921
After we had been felicitating on the grand and easy winter Minnesota has had now Old Man Winter staged a comeback at Easter time. It made a joke of all the sanguine weather prophets expecting a fine day. Saturday evening turned wet and colder making roads muddy and heavy. A thunderstorm accompanied by more rain. The temperatures dropped rapidly and gusts of snow blow fitfully. Easter Sunday was cloudy and cold with frozen roads, raw northwest wind, ice on every pond and patches of snow. Easter Monday was bright and clear with a temperature of 4 degrees above zero.
The war against illicit liquor making and selling in these parts will be in the courts. Scott County has eight residents who were investigated by Tucker’s men from headquarters.
The Prior Lake Catholic Church was destroyed by a fire Easter Sunday night. Built nearly 40 years ago, the building was originally located at Maple Glen on a portion of Dr. Larson’s summer resorts a Catholic Mission. After several years of disuse it was purchased by Prior Lake and moved to its present location in 1908. The handsome residence was built in 1917.
The new Minnesota Auto License bill passed the House of Representatives and is up in the Senate this week. All cars under 2000 pounds will pay a minimum fee of $12. Cars over 2000 pounds will pay a $45 license fee.
Friday evening, April 1, the Campfire Girls will present a three-act comedy “The Farmerette” at the High School auditorium at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Dr. A.H. Juni, local dentist, has been appointed the U.S. Public Health Service assigned to do dental work for former service men. He has sold his business here to Dr. Marxen.
Some land tilling is being done at Spirit Hill Dairy Farms.
A fair-sized crowd attended the Easter Ball given by the American Legion in the Opera House on Monday. The dancers made merry until 2 a.m. closing hour.
Herbert Piere was brought home last Friday, ill with typhoid fever.
George Mais, Jr. of Jordan Southtown reported that the winter wheat crop is looking better and more promising right now.
E.C. Morlock, Jordan’s line wire produce buyer, shipped a solid carload of eggs to Boston yesterday.
70 YEARS AGO
March 29, 1957
Sherwood Peters, 6 years old, underwent surgery last Monday. Nancy Radermacher, 4 years old, had her tonsils removed on Tuesday.
Mr. and Mrs. Donald Lindstrand have sold the Gold Spot Dairy business to H.R. Koentopf. The Lindstrands didn’t sell the building. They were in business here two years.
It is still the famous White Easter landscape. We have had one spry thaw day, a little rain and one icy fog during the past week, nights mostly freezing. The result is a slow run-off of melting.
Two new “sorting table-cases” have been installed in Jordan’s post office. This is equipment used by rural mail-carriers.
A crew of building artisans have been restoring the interior of the fire-stricken Fieler two-story brick building on Water Street. A new rear porch is also being constructed.
Donkey basketball — there will be two contests with all local players riding real, live, tricky, trained donkeys at the Jordan High School Gymnasium on Sunday, April 1 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Prices for adults are 60 cents, and children 30 cents.
Easter weekend entertainment in Jordan — free dance at Mertz Tap Room Saturday, March 31 with music by Bays of the Golden North. Jordan Theatre shows “Let’s Dance” with Betty Hutton and Fred Astaire on April 1, 2, 3. Another dance at Mertz Hall, Peter Prusak, Mgr. with music by Wally Pikal. The Granada Theatre is New Prague will show “Never a Dull Moment” with Gred MacMurray and Irene Dunne on April 1 and 2.
Farmers who left their cars parked along the highway here Saturday night because of the blocked roads into their farmyards found them stripped of path and batteries on Easter Sunday morning. The sheriff has been called.
Due to the heavy snowstorm the auction of Theodore Worm and Walter Laugh is now postponed until April 11.
50 YEARS AGO
April 1, 1971
Theradyne Corporation of Jordan reported a loss of $101,486 in the fiscal year ending on Oct. 41, 1970. Theradyne was organized in 1968.
Richard Ballard was elected president of the Jordan Commercial Club, while Edward Breunig was elected vice president and Kenneth Crane was re-elected secretary-treasurer. The annual meeting was held at the Hotel Jordan Cafe Thursday night.
Fr. Barry Schneider, OFM, son of Al Schneider of Jordan, has accepted a position with the United States Embassy in Bohn, Germany, effective at the end of May. He has spent the last 13 years at Hale Franciscan High School.
New arrival born at St. Francis Hospital at Shakopee, a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Eugene (Jean Mendlick) Hartman from Jordan on Friday, March 19.
James K. Spieker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Killian R. Spieke of Route I, Jordan was commissioned an ensign in the Naval Reserve upon completion of a phase of training at the Naval Aviation School Command, Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida.
30 YEARS AGO
March 28, 1991
Susan Dunfee, a St. Paul native, opened an upholstery shop last July at 236 Water Street in Jordan (next to the Knights of Columbus Hall) and gave it the name “Originally Yours.” Graduating from White Bear Vo-Tech in 1987, she started her business from her mobile home. Susan, her husband, Mike, a mechanic that changed jobs, and three children moved to rural Jordan to open up the shop. It’s not always open because she is out delivering, giving estimates at homes or buying supplies. She recommends you call ahead to leave a message.
A variety of three types of one-act plays will be offered to the community for an evening of enjoyment by the Jordan Community Troupe— the plays are scheduled for April 12, 13, 14 and 19 and 21 at the Hub.
The Scott County Board Tuesday voted to purchase a 200-acre site in Louisville Township for $350,000 for the location of a mill compost plant that will serve Scott and Carver counties. The land was owned by Unimin Corp and was formerly used for a sand-mining operation, zoned industrial use.
Jordan High School seventh-grader Jacob Pauly received a green ribbon and a special MSU book award for his efforts in the 1991 regional science fair.
Three Jordan High School band members (Aaron Klehr, Peter Shin and Paul Dymit) were among the 350 members chosen out of over 1,000 students in a five-state area to be a part of the mass festival band a the Dorian Band Festival held Sunday and Monday, March 3-4 at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.
Jordan High School Brad Hanzel was named to the 1990-91 Minnesota River Conference All-Conference Boys basketball team.
In the girls’ basketball team; Jaguars, Sarah Cecka and Jill Gaulke were chosen all-conference and Amy Weiers received honorable mention for the Minnesota River Conference Girls’ Basketball for 1990-91.