See all posts in the Chaska’s History Speaks series

The Chaska Historical Society has housed the Chaska Herald newspapers dating back to 1862 since the physical copies of the papers were transferred to our care in March of 1981. From their verbiage, word choices, articles and advertisements, they provide a view into the history of Chaska that is otherwise unmatched. The consistent presence of this publication in our community for over 160 years provides fodder for timelines, comparisons, societal reflection and often humor. For your enjoyment, we present to you, from the archives of the Chaska Herald newspapers, the Herald Reports – now known as Chaska’s History Speaks!

From the Chaska Herald:

September 1, 1927

A theft was performed in the Diedrich Confectionery Store Sunday evening, by two or more thieves, who entered the store through the rear window of the building. The prowlers got away with ten dollars in cash taken from the register, a ten-cent slot machine which is thought to have contained quite a sum of dimes and a punch board with twenty-five dollars in cash on it as prizes, and other articles such as cigarette holders and wrist watches. As yet no definite clues have been found, but officers of the law are driving on the trail in a most eager manner.

September 2, 1920

The local Gedney Pickle Factory, under the management of Theo. Lindenberg, who has so successfully handled the plant for so many years and is recognized as one of the very best men on the large Gedney staff, commenced receiving cabbage last week and will soon start cutting kraut for shipment. The pickle crop was a failure this year owing to the drought.

September 3, 1885

Our Village Marshall is doing his duty nobly. He is a terror to “tramps” and evil doers generally.

September 4, 1890

The Town paper is a constant advertisement of the town and section, and no matter what is said in foreign papers, outsiders desiring to locate a place first write for sample copies of The Town paper. The Town is judged by them, hence the importance of having good papers well patronized.

September 5, 1940

Starting next Monday the Public Library will return to its fall and winter schedule with a shift in the hours during which it is open. The Children’s Story Hour, a popular summer feature, is also being discontinued. The Library will be open from 1:30 o’clock until 5:30 o’clock every week day except Saturday, and on Monday evenings from 7:00 o’clock until 8:00 o’clock. New books just added include “The World is Like That” by Kathleen Norris, “Mein Kampf” by Adolph Hitler, “White Oak Heritage” by Mazo de la Roche, and “Chad Hanna” by Walter Edmonds.

September 6, 1900

Here are three good remedies for keeping flies from your horses. If you have proper regard for the comfort of your animals, try one of these: Rub the horse with concentrated Oil of Laurel. Another is Assefetida, one pound; vinegar, half pint; water, one pint. Still another remedy is to take common Smart Weed and make a strong decoction by boiling. When cold apply to neck, legs, etc., and for twenty-four hours flies will not trouble the animal. 

September 7, 1871

The double team of Henry Sauerbry started from in front of one of the stores on Third Street on Tuesday and ran through town at a furious rate. Fortunately the horses cleared other teams, otherwise there would have been a general smash up. As it was, nothing hurt but a general demoralization of the wagon of Sauerbry. Caution — Hitch your horses when left alone.

September 8, 1898

The cigar establishment of John Sutheimer will be moved from its present location on 2nd Street to the brick building of Teddy Lindenberg on Chestnut Street, formerly occupied by Gust Leivermann as a saloon. The change will be made this week. We understand Mr. Sutheimer will add a number of workmen to his manufacturing department and found that his present quarters were too small. He has also purchased the driving team of Dr. Tuomy, and will keep one man on the road most of the time hereafter.

September 9, 1971

Teske Fuel & Feed has moved its office headquarters from Fifth Street East to the corner of Fifth and Main Street in Chaska. The “moving” involved only a block, but renovation of the former brick warehouse to include an office was somewhat hectic — especially in light of the fact that municipal service (sewer and water and natural gas) lines had to be installed. The Teske Fuel & Feed adds more than a new location in the transformation taking place with Gregg Davies joining his mother (the former Gay Teske) in actual management of the Teske Fuel & Feed firm.

September 10, 1868

It has finally been decided upon to build a new Catholic Church in Chaska and work has already been commenced upon the foundation. The dimensions of the building will be 30 by 90 with a basement for school purposes and will cost at least $6,000. The building will be of brick and, being situated on one of the most beautiful and commanding sites in town, will, when finished, be not only an ornament to the place, but an honor to the Church. It will be the best church structure in the county when finished.

September 11, 1941

With the 1940-41 term of school rounding out its first week yesterday, enrollment was recorded at 777 pupils in the city’s three systems. The Public School had a combined enrollment of 372, Guardian Angels Catholic Grade and High School 343, and Saint John’s Lutheran Grade School 62.

September 12, 1867

We are informed that the Catholic Day School under the charge of Mr. Thos. Kerker, is in a very prosperous condition. Some 50 scholars attend daily.

September 13, 1906

Mr. Beyer of Long Prairie, Minn., on Tuesday of this week, purchased of Mr. Peter Pierson, for the sum of $2,500, the old Peter Iltis Brewery property situated in the 3rd Ward, and the transfer went on record the same day. We understand that Mr. Beyer intends to erect a large brick brewery on the property, modern and up-to-date in every respect. How soon this will be done we are not advised.

September 14, 1961

A 67 year old resident of Chaska’s Third Ward who sought vengeance on his neighbor is responsible for a wave of “flat tires” reported locally. Sheriff Lester W. Melchert told the Herald office Wednesday morning that the local resident confessed that he was responsible for the many flat tires in the vicinity of the Third Ward. The elderly man, incensed by his neighbor, purchased a package of upholstery tacks at a local hardware store and spread them, together with some roofing nails, as a trap to “get even.” It goes without saying that the man “trapped” more than the neighbor with complaints of “flat tires” prompting Chaska Chief of Police Ernie Keefer to investigate.

September 15, 1949

With summertime recreation coming to a halt, and thoughts centered on the fall season of the year, sportsmen will welcome the news of the first trapshooting session on Sunday afternoon, September 18th, under the sponsorship of the Sugar City Rod & Gun Club. Trapshooting will follow the same program as that of last year at the range on the John Boegeman, Jr. farm, on the G.A. Cemetery Road, a short distance from Chaska. Prizes will be awarded to high junior and senior marksmen. Refreshments will be available at the range. Trapshooting will continue every Sunday until the opening of the duck hunting season on October 7th.

September 16, 1948

Although actively engaged as representative of a local milk and cream route for the past several weeks, it can now be officially announced that Willie Heger, ex-serviceman and popular member of the Chaska Cubs Baseball Team, has accepted the distributorship of Oak Grove Dairy Products, combing a territory that includes residential and store delivery in Chaska, Carver and Cologne. Oak Grove products include Homogenized Sun-Dee Milk, Grade A Gold Seal Guernsey Milk, Bulgarian Style Buttermilk, Chocolate Milk, Whipping Cream, Orange Milk, and Cottage Cheese.

September 17, 1914

Ess Bros., the local automobile dealer, last week sold and delivered a fine new 1915 Maxwell “25” touring car to Chas. Carlson of near East Union. This makes the second sale of a Maxwell car in that vicinity the past month – Nord Bros. getting the other.

September 18, 1980

“Solar: The Minnesota Housewarming” is the theme of this weekend as sponsored by the Minnesota Energy Agency. Some 50 solar homes in the state will be open to the public this weekend, including the Winter home in rural Chaska, built by John Klingelhutz. The home is passive solar, featuring what is called a Trombe Wall, which captures heat and slowly releases it into the home. Hot water in the home of David and Margaret Winter is also derived in part through solar energy. The Winter home will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.

September 19, 1929

The Grand Opening Dance of the Happ Auditorium, Chaska, for the coming season will take place Saturday and Sunday evenings, September 21st and 22nd. Music will be furnished by two of the hottest bands now on the road — Tiny Little and His Toe Teasers of Galveston, Texas, and “Cec” Hurst and his Mormon Sheiks of Mankato. The Happ Auditorium will be entirely newly decorated and the floor, consisting of 7,000 square feet of dancing space, will be in the best of condition. Come and dance to the better bands, and in the finest dance auditorium in the Northwest.

September 20, 1894

Our citizens should decorate their places of business and private residences on Thursday, the day of the Republican Congressional Convention. The Park should also be put in holiday attire. Let us put our best foot forward and show the outside delegates that we extend them a hearty welcome to a genuine western city.

September 21, 1950

With this issue of the Weekly Valley Herald, we are embarking upon our 89th year of continuous publication. It was back in the Civil War days of 1861 when the first issue of the Valley Herald was published. Since that time the Herald has worked towards one goal — to serve the Chaska, Carver County area to the best of its ability. We are proud of our long period of publication and hope that we may continue to serve the community for another four score and nine years.

September 22, 1966

Doug Peterson, Plant Superintendent of the local American Crystal Sugar Company plant, announced early this week that workers are needed for this year’s sugar beet processing campaign. “We need workers for all three shifts and are paying a minimum of $1.88 per hour for a 40 hour week,” said Peterson. This year’s sugar beet processing campaign is expected to start on October 3.

September 23, 1943

Donald Duck would be flattered indeed to know that his replica was reproduced in a tomato, which Mrs. George Rudolph brought into the office Monday morning. This is the year of freak vegetables — everything from potatoes to Donald Duck tomatoes in various gardens.

September 24, 1874

Commodore Dunklee has made one trip with his new boat, and is soon to leave port again. John would die of grief if he could not have a crew of flatboat men to swear at.

September 25, 1986

Chaska baseball enthusiasts who went to St. Cloud last weekend hoping to have their city selected as the site of the 1988 Amateur Baseball Tournament came home victorious! For the first time in 31 years, Chaska will co-host the annual event. Duties will be shared with Hamburg. Mayor Bob Roepke presented Chaska’s bid for the tournament. Dale Welter and Wally Quast accompanied Roepke to St. Cloud as the Chaska delegation.

September 26, 1957

Chaska’s celebrated High School Band will be honored as the second “Band of the Week” on WCCO Radio’s “Prep Parade” Thursday evening, September 26, at 8:00 p.m. Directed by Bandmaster Kenneth Leander, the Chaska band will perform the music on the 40-minute program in addition to being recognized for its outstanding achievement. Conducted by Sid Hartman and Dick Enroth, “Prep Parade” is the WCCO Radio series devoted exclusively to high school sports and band activity in Minnesota. “Prep Parade” is presented every Thursday at 8:05 to 8:45 p.m. on WCCO Radio, 980 on your radio dial.

September 27, 1883

Notice is hereby given that an estray cow came into my enclosure in the town of Chaska September 8th, 1883. The owner is notified to come forward, prove property, pay charges, and take the same away. Dated September 15th, 1883. Conrad Fink.

September 28, 1933

The big radio season is just ahead. Get that set of yours pepped up now while tubes and supplies are low in price. We can do that job and do it right or no charge. Any make of tube, battery or appliance. We do battery charging. –Rudolph Radio & Electric Shop, next to Glass Block Store.

September 29, 1988

“Daze the Knights” is the Homecoming theme for 1988 when Chaska High School prepares to do battle with the Benilde-St. Margaret Knights on October 7. The schedule for the Student Council-sponsored week is:

• Sept. 28 – Buttons go on sale
• Sept. 30 – Pepfest to introduce Royalty
• Oct. 3 – Coronation
• Oct. 5 – Co-ed Volleyball Game
• Oct. 6 – Pepfest featuring the winning skits and talent from the Coronation
• Oct. 7 – Football Game
• Oct. 8 – Dance

September 30, 1897

The burning of an outhouse belonging to Julius Kroll Sunday afternoon called out the Fire Department, which prevented the spread of the flames. It is another case of children playing with matches. However, it furnished the boys with a little exercise and practice.