Historian provides insights to New Ulm

Hoisington working

on sesquicentennial

history of New Ulm

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- The author writing the sesquicentennial history of the City of New Ulm revealed some of his research work as the New Ulm Turnverein celebrated its 146th anniversary Sunday.

The Turner Ladies Society celebrated its 113th year and the Turner Club its 74th anniversary.

Roseville historian and author Daniel Hoisington's talk "Saying No to a German: Lessons from New Ulm's Past" held the interest of a good-sized crowd for more than an hour. His New Ulm book is expected to be completed in about a year, in preparation for New Ulm's 150th birthday in 2004.

An 1895 newspaper account described New Ulm as a place that smelled like garlic, sausage, beer and sauerkraut.

Hoisington called it a "unique community with a great sense of community and heritage."

He described New Ulm during the 1862 U.S.-Dakota War as less than a great place to defend because of higher ground surrounding the town that enabled the Dakota to filter into town.

He suggested restoration of several of New Ulm's oldest downtown buildings that were constructed more than 100 years ago.

Other historical highlights:

* Photos of breweries and churches that were destroyed during the 1881 tornado that tripped through town in about two minutes.

* The firing of New Ulm Public School Superintendent Robert Nix -- the son of New Ulm defender Jacob Nix -- in 1894. School Board President Charles Silverman, a newcomer who bought the Eagle Roller Mill, led the movement to get rid of Nix.

The New Ulm Review's headline said Nix was "destroyed by an unkind newcomer." Many libel suits and counter suits followed the firing. Nix moved to Indianapolis.

* Brown County World War I draftees marched down Minnesota Street in 1918. Meanwhile, state and federal agents attended meetings and rallies in town to see if anybody was disloyal to America. The New Ulm Post & Review publisher was arrested for violating the Federal Espionage Act.

* During Prohibition, a newspaper cartoon read "If this town goes dry, Germans will hang together." The Hofmeister Band played a funeral march while New Ulmites who wanted alcohol brewed their own or "juiced up" near beer.

* New Ulm voters approved doing away with Prohibition by a vote of 2,348 to 257. The only area of the county voting to keep Prohibition was Lake Hanska Township.

* Otto Oswald created New Ulm Industries that helped bring Kraft Foods and Webcor to town through the sale of bonds.

Turning to current affairs, Hoisington said the original Turners would have wanted Turner Hall in New Ulm to improve its facilities with its latest plan of making it handicapped accessible.

Phase I of the project calls for a service elevator and banquet kitchen restoration for $65,000. Phase II includes new entrances, elevator, handicap accessible bathrooms on both floors, new kitchen and stage facilities at a cost of $1 million.

Still struggling financially, Turner Hall's gym program has 131 gymnasts this year, up 23 from last year.