By E.O. Fritz Reusse, author (deceased)
I am wondering how many of the senior citizens will remember what I’m going to write about.
I will go back to about the year 1900, as that is what I seem to remember about Avoca.
I am wondering if many remember the names of the following: Donalsons, Flynns, Fogarty, Brady, McPhea, Cocklin, Johnson, Winn, Osborn, Lilleberg, Ewy, Shoo, Rackness, Farrell, Lynch, Mahoney, Kirchner, Cal Olson (the ball player), Louie Westby (the chauffeur for Pat Harrington), Bottoms, Brotten Barber), Brust, Dwyer, Deslauriers, O’Connell, Kearns (sold the car REO and had the biggest garage in Murray County). Dave Jondton ran the restaurant where the liquor store now stands, and he made the best five cent ham sandwich that ever was made west of the Mississippi River! The Farrells bought him out. I must not leave out the Frisks (there were three boys who married Annas – Emil, Axel and Jerry). The Snyders, John Burgland, Shean (he was the best carpenter in Murray County). Carl Hanson worked with him. Father Lavery, Kelly, Fitzpatricks, and lots more.
I do remember when Avoca celebrated the 4th of July in 1906. The Fulda Band played. There was a 15-inning ballgame played west of town – Iona vs. Avoca. Young Bill Walzer was Marshal of the Day, and he really took the part. He was dressed just like Uncle Sam. He was a real plugger for Avoca.
Morris Lilleburg had the first Ford in the area. I remember he gave folks rides all around the area just for kicks. Mike Lilleburg was a bicycle rider. In the early days, there was a lot of bicycle riding and horse racing.
This is really something for the books! Avoca had what they called The Herd. Everybody in Avoca kept a cow, and in the morning the cow herder would pick up the cows around town and drive them out West of town for pasture around the Lake. At night the Herder would bring them back to town, and he was paid by the cow owners.
I remember when Avoca had a full Main Street, businesses on both sides of the street. Then came a big fire that took the whole one side of the street. That fire was between 1900 and 1910, I believe.
I remember when Avoca had a Boarding School and the students came from many miles away to go to that school, then it burned down. Fulda had a Boarding School for girls, so many of the students went there.
Avoca had four churches—German Luthern, Swedish Luthern, Norwegian Luthern and Catholic. Many of the Fulda children were baptized in Avoca, as Fulda did not have a priest at that time. Avoca was the Mother Church, at that time. It seems that the Norwegians and the Germans used the same church.
Avoca also had two Lodges—Woodmen and Hiberian. The Woodmen had a very nice Hall where there were shows and dances. They also played basketball. Speaking of Basketball, Butch Hanson was one of the best guards in Southwestern Minnesota. He also played on the Fulda team with Bill Leebens, Dick O’Connell, Wm. Kenety, Dick Donalson, Marv Wicon and Cyril White. The Hiberian Hall was also used as a movie house. It was later sold to the German Lutherans for a Church.
Avoca had two of the best Auctioneers in the area. Avoca was their home, but the world was their territory! I must not forget Old Doc Trow (I think he also had a broom factory). He brought many a baby into this world in this area. Also, Otto Rakness had an Orchestra, and he played Violin. Miss Westby played Piano, and one of the Flynn girls also played.
You could buy almost anything at the Lilleburg Store. He had the line of men’s clothing for the whole area. Avoca also had a Hotel, which I believe was run by the Raknesses. It stood where the filling station now stands. Will Kenny had the hardware store. John Osborn the Livery Barn. Also, Lindbergs, Crowleys, Magnus, Knox, Schellenberg, Smithstedt, Murphy. John Anderson carried a pig on his back in a sack from Heron Lake to Avoca.
Cherry Point was a busy place in the 20’s and 30’s.
Nuff said.
