Man Freezes Feet

Last Wednesday morning, a young man apparently about twenty-five years of age walked into Short Bros.' drug store, seated himself by the stove, and asked for Dr. Harris. He commenced to unbuckle his shoes and pull off his stockings. Dr. Harris came in and at once saw what was the matter - the stranger had his feet badly frozen. He was at once conducted to the Pembina House where a room was engaged and the doctor began to examine his feet, both of which were found to be frozen from the toes to the instep, as solid as two chunks of ice water, until they were thoroughly thawed out. The young man gives his name as Emil Carlson, that he left Hallock Minn. the evening before for Emerson, Man., riding a part of the way. After dark he got lost and wandered on the prairie all night. His parents live in Brooklyn, N.Y., but has had lived in Hallock for some time. Dr. Harris thinks he can save his feet, except some of his toes which have to be amputated.

- From the March 7, 1890 edition of the St. Vincent New Era

1912

St. Vincent was a bustling little town in 1912. It had several hotels, saloons, groceries, a furniture store, livery, blacksmith, druggist shop, churches, gas station, courthouse, and railway depot. There was even a park with a gazebo near the river, where brass bands played on Sundays. Every summer, there was a fair held.

Capturing the Past

I have decided to document my hometown in a very concrete way. I've created a place blog for it. I want to discover and share why my town came into existence, and the people who were there at the beginning, and even those that were there before the town, if possible. Because there were people there before the town.

I'm finding out that my little village, never a big town, has a very colorful past. I've discovered in my life that most places and individuals are far more fascinating that most of us give them credit for. I'm challenged to convey my hometown in as vivacious a manner, or moreso, than Mr. Keillor does his 'Lake Wobegon".

St. Vincent, MN 56755 (a zip code that doesn't exist anymore) was and is a very real place. I will show everyone why it was, and why it was and is special to me...