1894
In January people in Robbinsdale were advised to arm themselves when traveling on Crystal Lake Avenue to Minneapolis after dark, after B.J. Browning had been held up by robbers while returning home after selling a load of hay. With drawn guns, three men took his money and watch. They were caught and sentenced to five years in jail.
William Randall and George “Don” Johnson (above) started Robbinsdale Ice and Fuel Co. and began cutting ice on Crystal Lake in the 1890’s. Johnson is standing nearest the horses. Over on Twin Lake the Crystal Ice Company cut up to 25,000 tons. In the 1920’s the Cedar Lake Ice Company began staking out territory on Crystal Lake. The ice was packed in sawdust and usually lasted through the summer. Many private parties and ice companies were cutting ice in Crystal Lake. On account of the “extreme clearness and purity, this ice is considered the best that can be had around Minneapolis.
There were parties and dances galore in the Town Hall that winter but all was not sweetness and light in those early days either. The dumping of trash, especially dead animals, on Crystal Lake Avenue and the Johnson Road (36th Avenue) caused Thomas Girling to warn Health Officer Kelly of Minneapolis to steer clear of the village limits as the streets mentioned, “are lined with decayed fish, over-ripe eggs, one long-deceased hog, several dogs, cats, garbage, etc.
In June Miss Edith Robbins graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science degree. All five of the Robbins daughters graduated from the University, with two of them earning Masters Degrees as well. It was a splendid sight to see Mr. Robbins and his five daughters, all so beautifully dressed, sitting together in the congregational church, filling the pew completely. Edith (Mrs. Daniels) served this school District No. 24, for many years as a Board Member.
In July, 1894, Girling reported a step in the right direction: “The citizens have organized a fire company with a membership of 44. The chief is J. J. Coulter, with Thomas H. Girling as Secretary. The company will equip itself with ladders, hooks, axes, buckets, etc., and in a short time will get a chemical. Regular meetings will be held to drill.” There were several benefits given, one a supper and entertainment which netted $32, with the donations all listed and the donors as well. Five gallons of potato salad, three gallons of ice cream, fifteen pounds of ham, a bushel of apples, pies, besides buns, pickles, and twenty-nine cakes! Another benefit held on December 21, 1894, emphasized the program and confined the refreshments to coffee and sandwiches. The program included a harmonica solo; L. I. Nasett; Recitation—”Flash, the Fireman’s Horse”—Roy Shumway; Tableau—”The Lovers Discovered”—Howard Russ, Hattie Coulter, Anna Johnson, J. J. Coulter; A farce—”Is the Editor In?”—Hattie Hawkins, Hattie Coulter, and others.
Earlier that fall a benefit for the Hinckley fire sufferers was held and a Fair and Supper by the Ladies’ Aid was a “complete success” with the receipts going to the church debt. All this, mind you, when hard times were on the people. Houses built by Mr. Robbins and others were practically deserted or renting for $1.50 a month.
Licensing the saloons was the main campaign issue in 1894. Nathan Russ, who ran for recorder and H. R. Stillman, who was a candidate for council, were both defeated largely because they favored licensing. It was rumored that Mr. Stillman even favored prohibition. The “drys” were never able to make Robbinsdale “Dry” until the 18th Amendment to the Federal Constitution was passed. Victors in the election were Andrew B. Robbins, president; John W. Hayes, recorder; Thomas H. Girling, Lars I. Nasett and Haakon Christenson, Councilmen; George E. Swift, treasurer; Thomas J. Helmick and William Forsyth, justices of the peace; Martin Garrett and John Peterson, Constables; and Alfred Malbon, street commissioner. Robbins was also Superintendent of the Robbinsdale Congregational Church at this time.
This post is part of a series based on the book Robbinsdale Then and Now by Helen Blodgett.