This week I did a reading for the good people at the Todd County Historical Society in Long Prairie. The weather threatened but hearty Minnesotans braved the snow in their usual fashion. We shared a great time talking about Minnesota history and Scandinavian immigration during the 19th century. I read a passage from POMME DE TERRE and shared two of my poems.
Later, during coffee and treats, several of us visited about a local legend about a band of soldiers who supposedly froze to death in November 1862 near Sauk Centre. Legend says they became lost in a blizzard while on the on their way home from Fort Abercrombie. Bud N. believes he has found their unmarked graves but has been unable to generate interest for an archeological dig since it remains undocumented in army records.
Minnesota history is fascinating. I wish Bud N. great success in pursuing this legend until he finds the answers he is seeking.
3 Responses
Dear Candace,
I was present at your reading in Long Prairie, purchased your two books and have since read Pomme de Terre which I thoroughly enjoyed. Your book did a great job of bringing history to life. You spelled out the hardness of the settler’s lives, the horrors of the Civil War, the terrors of the Sioux, the unjust treatment of the Sioux, the humanity of the Sioux, the independence of the Sioux tribes within the Sioux nation, the superstitious nature of the Sioux religion, but the superstitions that governed the Scandinavian settlers as well. I appreciated your inclusion of so many Norwegian phrases and dishes. (My husband is Norwegian, and I have heard many of the same phrases and eaten both cream pudding and stewed mutton and cabbage.) It seemed to me that you got so many details right. Therefore, I was surprised when you wrote that when the rooster was killed there would be no more eggs. (Check this out: a hen gives eggs without a rooster just as a woman ovulates without a man. Of course without a rooster, the eggs won’t be fertilized, and there won’t be new chicks hatching, but there will be eggs none the less.) Now, I’m sure that by now, you’ve heard this comment on chickens from any number of people who have read your book. and I’m guessing that your editor did not have a farming background.
Last weekend I left my copy of your book with my grandson who is in 6th grade, the grade in which MN history is traditionally taught. I offered him an incentive for reading your book: every 50 pages that he reads, then summarizes in a one page report, and sends to me; I will send him back $5. So he can make as much as $25 if he accepts the challenge of reading and writing to me about your book. That’s how convinced I am that your book really does bring history to life.
I look forward to reading Abercrombie Trail.
Sincerely, Reta
Very interesting, thank you for sharing!
long ago, my maternal great father and family settled in the Long Prairie area before venturing on to Grant County. years ago I did some genealogy in L.P. but found most of my info in St. cloud. there are many interesting stories to be found there.