Chaska Historical Society
(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: April 1, 1971
Jonathan’s first retail store opened in the newly-completed Village Center last week. The shop called “The Spyglass” offers jewelry, posters and gift items priced at $5 and under. Mrs. Tom Martinovich of Chaska is the owner and also does the buying for the shop. “The Spyglass” is open from noon to 5 p.m. on Monday, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
From the Chaska Herald: April 2, 1942
The Guardian Angels Dramatic Club is opening its ninth season on Sunday, April 19, with the revival of the play, “Adventure Bound.” This drama is one of the most successful productions that has been produced in the club’s history. The play was presented seven years ago. Practice for the production began last week under the direction of Reverend Arnold Schwartz. Members of the cast include Dr. L. A. Hartmann, Mrs. Vivian Dirkswager, Jerome Dauwalter, Mrs. Luella Jeurissen, Miss Alice Tschimperle, Adrian Arlt, Miss Jane Jensen, Mrs. Gladys Geiser, Lenhardt Schramm, Bert Leivermann and James F. Faber.
From the Chaska Herald: April 3, 1879
Under the provisions of our new Charter, the Village Council has power to fix the amount to be paid for a saloon license, at any sum not greater than two hundred dollars, nor less than twenty-five dollars.
From the Chaska Herald: April 4, 1895
All those who contemplate purchasing a new sewing machine or musical instrument should consult Richard Hellriegel of this city. He is the Pioneer dealer in this line and you can rely on any statements he makes. Call at his ware room, he will receive you courteously.
From the Chaska Herald: April 5, 1923
NOTICE! During the coming season, the owners of the Eder’s Addition pasture, in which is located a small clay hole or pond which has been used for swimming, will be closed to all except the 10 owners of said pasture, and hereafter trespassing will be strictly forbidden to all except those holding shares. Those who have been in the habit of going swimming there should take notice and save trouble.
— Herman Nicolei, for the Owners.
From the Chaska Herald: April 6, 1950
Saturday, April 1, the Carver County State Bank celebrated its 80th Anniversary. Eighty years ago, the Carver County Bank was started by the late George A. DuToit, father of the present president, Dana W. DuToit. Throughout these many years the banking house has weathered good times and bad while continuing to serve the people of Chaska and its neighboring communities.
From the Chaska Herald: April 7, 1966
Chaska High School seniors have selected George Bernard Shaw’s “Arms and the Man” as its senior class play. The production, a satire on war and the professional fighting man, will be presented Friday and Saturday, April 22-23, on the stage of the Chaska High School Auditorium. Heading the cast of eight seniors are Sharon Pauly, Mary Lee Ryski, Jane Shima, Bill Hanson, Dan Klein, Gary Meuwissen, Steve Robinson and Geoff Wascher. An advance ticket sale is now underway. Tickets are $1 for adults, 50 cents for students.
From the Chaska Herald: April 8, 1943
The Red Cross War Fund Drive, which has been carried out throughout the nation during the month of March, has been exceptionally successful in the City of Chaska, revealing the fact that its citizens appreciate the laudable humanitarian work the Red Cross does in peace times and in war. Chaska’s quota was $800, but it was exceeded and the amount collected by the Victory Aides amounted to $916.20. A list of donors and donations is now in the hands of the printer and will be published in the Herald next week.
From the Chaska Herald: April 9, 1964
Carver County’s monthly distribution of surplus foods will take place Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and noon in the building located between Cooper’s Super Valu and Ramsland Drug. Herbert Duncan, director of the Carver County Welfare Department, announced that some 450 persons have been receiving the surplus foods since inauguration of the Surplus Community Program in January. Eligibility requirements vary according to monthly income, number of persons in the family, and cash savings.
From the Chaska Herald: April 10, 1884
The steamer “Aunt Betsey” of St. Paul, Jos. Smith, Capt., with five barges, passed this point on Friday evening of last week for Belle Plaine after wood. A large crowd gathered at the river to see them go up. Capt. Smith promises an excursion on or about the 1st of July, which we can safely say will be largely patronized.
From the Chaska Herald: April 11, 1907
The Herald is pleased to notice that the article in last week’s Herald captioned “Give Us the News” has had a decided effect in stimulating, and in consequence this week many items of importance and of a local nature were handed in for publication. This is what we want — all the news, and can take care of it all. Therefore, remember if you have any news of local interest, hand it to the editor or mail it, and the Herald will give it publication. In time, our efforts to give the people of Chaska and Carver County as newsy a paper as is published in a city the size of Chaska will be realized and at the present rate it will not be long before we have that distinction.
From the Chaska Herald: April 12, 1962
This week’s Chaska Chamber of Commerce Shopper and special insert in the Weekly Valley Herald not only offers shopping bargains but also the opportunity to share $50 in cash prizes. Hidden throughout the special eight-page shopping guide are 21 spelling mistakes (intentional ones, that is). All you, the reader, have to do is find the mistakes, list them on the entry blank, sign your name and address, and deposit the blank at a cooperating store. It’s sort of an “Easter Word Hunt,” remarked Harold Gastler, promotion committee chairman, in calling attention to this weekend’s special promotion.
From the Chaska Herald: April 13, 1939
Expansion of the spring and summer activities program of the WPA Community Recreation set-up will be taken up at the regular monthly meeting of the Recreation Council to be held Friday evening. One of the important matters to be taken up is organization of a Kitten-Ball League for summer play. All managers or sponsors of prospective teams in the circuit are requested to attend the Council meeting which will be held at the City Hall at 7 p.m.
From the Chaska Herald: April 14, 1892
We understand that our friend Casper will lead one of Chaska’s fair daughters to the Hymeneal Altar as soon as the Lenten season is over; such at least is the rumor, and the Herald extends the happy couple its heartiest felicitations over the event.
From the Chaska Herald: April 15, 1920
We have been informed that Fred Beyer has commenced the manufacture of a very superior article of root beer, which he is supplying to the local trade. We are told that he also intends on engaging in the manufacture of pop and other carbonated beverages. This is a good move on the part of Mr. Beyer as Chaska has room for an establishment of this kind and we wish him the best of success
From the Chaska Herald: April 16, 1970
The familiar golfer’s cry of “Fore” will officially be heard Saturday at Dahlgreen Golf Course, located south of Highway 212 just west of Chaska. Co-owners Bill Tessman and Paul Stans, in calling attention to Saturday’s official opening, announced that golfing lessons by a certified PGA professional will be offered at Dahlgreen this season. The combination golf lesson plan offers 10 lessons and 10 nine-hole rounds of golf for $25.
From the Chaska Herald: April 17, 1975
Kenny Fahey announced this week that he and his wife recently purchased a drive-in at the junction of Highways 41 and 169. Formerly called the Christy Drive-In, it has been renamed Kenny’s Drive-In. The establishment opened yesterday. Included on the menu will be pure beef hamburger sandwiches, along with chicken and other drive-in specialties. Fahey will also continue to work as maintenance man at Guardian Angels Grade School. He will be operating the drive-in with his wife, Theresa.
From the Chaska Herald: April 18, 1901
A very interesting game of ball was played here last Sunday afternoon, the Sauerkraut and Frogtown Nines crossing bats. The score was 24 to 34 in favor of the latter.
From the Chaska Herald: April 19, 1877
The alarm of fire was again sounded last Sunday night at about 12 o’clock This time the building on fire proved to be the old vacant building on the levee opposite Warner’s old store. By the time the alarm was sounded, the fire had gained such headway that the hook and ladder boys were unable to save the building. It is without doubt the work of an incendiary. We are going to organize a vigilance committee and woe be unto the first person discovered in this business.
From the Chaska Herald: April 20, 1922
Every person occupying property within the city limits of the City of Chaska is hereby notified to clean their premises, including alleys, of all manure and rubbish of every nature, and I hereby designate the week of April 24th to 29th, inclusive, as clean-up week. All premises including alleys not cleaned up will be taken care of by the city after that date and the cost assessed against the property affected. — P. H. Simons, Mayor.
From the Chaska Herald: April 21, 1938
Eden Prairie is to be Chaska High School’s first opponent in the new baseball season opening on Friday of this week. The Hennepin County youths come to Valley Park for the first tussle, which is scheduled to begin at four o’clock. It will consist of seven innings. Roger Teske and Wallace Helmeke will be doing mound work for CHS. Other players who have reported at practice sessions conducted during the past few weeks include Wilbert Kelm, William Schallow, Jr., Earl Engelhardt, Richard Geislar, Stanley Bechtel, Harold Poppitz, John Roepke, Cyril Ess, Orwin Poppitz, Neil Kamerud and Charles Westin.
From the Chaska Herald: April 22, 1926
Our sportsmen have organized a Crow Club. They have selected two teams and these boys are going to stage a grand Crow Hunt and celebrate the spoils of victory. One team is composed of Walter Mittelsted, W. H. Burkhart, John Neuberger, Joe Van Sloun and Dr. J. F. Boles, while the other side has L. A. Zeman, Dana DuToit, C. H. Diedrich, Al Mittelsted and O. H. Iltis, with Cort Happ acting as judge and Grand Salaam. The side bagging the greatest number of crows within a given time will be awarded the championship, and the losing team will have to treat them to a grand feed. Bring on the “Crow.”
From the Chaska Herald: April 23, 1885
The Legislature at its last session passed a law prohibiting Justices of the Peace from holding their offices in a saloon or in a room having a door leading into a saloon. This will affect some of our County Justices.
From the Chaska Herald: April 24, 1913
Fred Habegger, the local implement and automobile dealer, sold a 30 h.p. Overland Motor Car to Alderman Jos. Burkhart this week and the machine will be delivered in about 10 days. The machine is a dandy car equipped with self-starter, Warner autometer, windshield, top, etc., and white nickeled. The Habeggers also sold a rebuilt Bloomstrom Touring Car to a farmer near Jordan this week.
From the Chaska Herald: April 25, 1878
Tramps have become a perfect nuisance. They have just flooded Chaska for the past 10 days, and our city officials have been obliged to secure the services of two night policemen in order to secure our citizens from actual violence. The cheapest and best plan to get rid of them is to drive them out of town on their first appearance.
From the Chaska Herald: April 26, 1956
An active group of Guardian Angels School band members and their parents presently are busily preparing for a campaign to inaugurate a new type of Community Calendar in this area. The function of the Calendar is to increase mutual cooperation among people in this community, Chaska, Victoria, etc., as well as provide a source of much needed revenue for the Band Department of Guardian Angels School. Mrs. Frank Hensel is general chairman of the campaign and leads a host of volunteer workers scheduled to aid in the promotion of the campaign. The Calendar itself is a large, easy to read calendar which will carry the meeting times of various local organizations, important community events, and wedding anniversaries and birthdays of all who would like to subscribe or patronize the project. Complete details will be forthcoming in a later issue.
From the Chaska Herald: April 27, 1944
A promise made by John Dienslake when he assumed the management of G. A. Bowling Alleys was fulfilled on Tuesday evening of last week when he entertained the alley pin setters at a banquet at G.A. Dining Hall. The meal, a sumptuous one indeed, was prepared by the mothers of the pin setters. A total of 18 pin setters, including two other guests, Rev. Arnold Schwarz and Frank Salden, assistant manager of the bowling lanes, were guests of Manager Dienslake.
From the Chaska Herald: April 28, 1921
We beg to announce a food sale! We know you will welcome the news. Cookies and pies and other good things, there’ll be plenty from which to choose. So, forget your Saturday baking. We’ll gladly fill your larder supply, while you find rest and refreshing, out under the blue of the sky in the Young Building on Saturday afternoon, May 7th.
From the Chaska Herald: April 29, 1909
Listen to what Peter Weber, owner of the Chaska Shoe Hospital, has to say to you. “I have just received a lot of waterproof sole leather, the best money can buy, and I am prepared to make your shoe feel good again — to you — if you give me a chance to treat him. All kinds of repairing done on short notice. All kinds of shoe polishings and dressings for sale. German and English spoken. Yours truly, Peter Weber.”
From the Chaska Herald: April 30, 1931
The honor students of the Senior Class of Chaska High School for the four years were announced this week. Evangeline Haupert will be Valedictorian of the class, having received an average of 94% in her work. Marion Braunworth, with an average of 88%, is to be Salutatorian in the Commencement Exercises in which Governor Floyd B. Olson will be the principal speaker, May 28th.
