| A History of STRUM and the TOWN OF UNITY by Roy Matson |
| THIS IS PAGE 75 | TABLE OF CONTENTS | PAGE BACK | |
| crime. The defense was weak, the jury withdrew, deliberated about two minutes, then came back with a "guilty" verdict. Judge Williams, after some choice words, fixed hanging as the penalty - to be carried out promptly. Outside went the whole crew, a rope was produced, thrown over a convenient telephone pole arm, the culprit encircled by it and everything was ready. The judge declared a moments silence was proper prior to such a dastardly act after which he granted a few last words. Moe was heard to mumble something about "going home". The rope was removed and the vigilantees watched with delight as his white soled overshoes disappeared southward into the night. An event enjoyed immensely by big city ski jumpers here for a ski tournament was the 9 o’clock curfew affecting the village small fry. All children under 12 were off limits on Main Street after that hour, unless accompanied by parents. Every small boy, and most girls knew the big name skiers of that day and were not about to miss spending every minute possible soaking up ski talk. Chicago members especially were greatly amused when Constable Bernt Svendson herded about thirty youngsters down to the church corner at 9. The ordinance seemed to effect Main Street only. The biggest crowds to populate Main Street took place on Steam Engine Day grand parades. Estimates from many sources varied greatly but, with certainty, over 20,000 people visited Strum. Main Street was filled with spectators. It is said only a fire changes main street of a small town. Well, we have had fires and while the business district had not kept pace with the residential area, there has been change, more change than one can recall on a spur of a moment. Change? It is only a hundred and two years ago, this spring, since Even Evenson headed across the river to lay out a right-of-way that might aid him in erecting the first building that graced Main Street for 80 years. Roy Matson 1979 |
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