Triple X

1924

On January 15, 1924, Thomas Girling, age 58, died from injuries suffered in an automobile accident. As a State Representative of the 36th District and resident of Robbinsdale, he was a champion of rural Hennepin County. Governor Preus said, “He was one of the most efficient legislators in the State.”

The Northern Headlights, January 18, 1924, carried large headlines and his picture. He had served one term in the legislature in 1903 and then again from 1915 until his death. Although a Republican, he had staunch support among prominent Democrats and at his last election, had no opponent. Another note in the Northern Headlights bemoaned the fact that the 1914 dollar was now worth only 60 cents.

On January 19 the Commercial Club sponsored a “Dance and Basket Social” in the Masonic Temple:

“Girls, Bring a Basket Filled for Two.” (Basket socials were popular even in the 1890)s. Girls were hopeful their favorite “beau” would bid the highest and eat with them.

“Midwinter Frolics” was also sponsored by the Robbinsdale Commercial Club in 1924. On January 17 the Parent and Teachers Club presented “Andy Gump” at the Robbinsdale School Auditorium. On January 18 the Young Ladies Sodality gave a skating party and oyster supper at Crystal Lake in the Warming House.

The Missouri Synod of the Lutheran Church which in 1889, had first sponsored the Luther Seminary on College Avenue (now Regent Avenue), reorganized its congregation and built a church at 40th and Regent. By 1950, the congregation outgrew the church and rooms were rented at the Robbinsdale High School on Regent Avenue. But more room was needed as three services were held. The present Redeemer Lutheran Church was erected at 42nd and Regent Avenue in 1965. The dedication celebrated the 40th anniversary of the congregation. In 1980, the Reverend Leonard C. Thaemert retired after serving 28 years.

In 1924, five years after Captain Billy and his brothers established Fawcett Publications in Robbinsdale, Triple X became one of the fledgling publisher’s earliest success stories. Edited By Captain Billy’s brother, Roscoe Fawcett and Jack Smalley, the two bit Triple-X men’s adventure magazine was available at newsstands across America for over a decade. In addition to a monthly collection of Westerns, the pulp thrilled readers with sports stories and war stories that combined western heroes, flying aces and detectives. The Action took place on the trail, in the air and occasionally at sea. Triple X published a parade of pulp writers that included Murray Leinster, W.C. Tuttle, Will James, Tom Hopkins,Victor Rousseau, Arthur Guy Empey, William M. Rouse,W.C. Tuttle, Stephen Payne, Jay Lucas and Edgar Rice Burroughs. Fawcett illustrated his adventure magazine with cover art by Harry Parkhurst, Denton Clark, Will James, Alan Anderson and Will King.

In the summer of 1924, Captain Billy packed his bags and joined America’s Olympic trap-shooters in Paris, France. It was the fifth appearance of the event. The men’s trap was held at Issy-les-Moulineaux on July 8th and 9th. 44 shooters from 14 nations competed. Captain Billy came in 18th place with a score of 91. Upon his return to the states he published a magazine of naughty French prints.

For two years in the early 1920’s, there was a Ku Klux Klan of Minneapolis that paraded here. It was the largest Klan in the State. When the Klan paraded down Broadway from 42nd Avenue to a gravel pit near the old traffic circle, former Mayor Charles Wallace recalls that the line of marchers was four blocks long. Many Robbinsdale residents were included. Lucille Beebe remembers that fear struck many people as the Klan burned its fiery cross near Lowry Avenue and Highway 52. Floyd. B. Olson, then Attorney General, put a stop to the Klan.

This post is part of a series loosely based on the book Robbinsdale Then and Now by Helen Blodget. The image at the top of the post features Captain Billy and a 1924 issue of Triple X.