The killer was (most likely) a member of the Arbogast family — Local citizens were shocked when butcher and prominent citizen Louis Arbogast was murdered. Arbogast, his wife, and four daughters lived a mundane, uneventful life in a large home near downtown. From the outside, they appeared to be a happy family who loved each other. Everything changed on the early morning…

Killed during a carriage ride to meet with her beau — “[Hayward] was recognized by his school fellows as a bully, brutal in his instincts, enjoying the sufferings of others, and delighting in the torture of domestic animals [deliberating impaling a cat on a fence].” ~ W.A. Jones M.D. On a cold December 3, 1894, night 29-year-old Minneapolis dressmaker Catherine “Kitty”…

Consider what it took to make your money before you give it away — When I say ‘money,’ what’s the first word that pops into your mind? For me, it’s words like ‘bills,’ ‘spend,’ and ‘not enough’ (I know — the last one is two words — but stay with me here). Who thought of the word ‘tool’? Our money is a tool each…

One of Minnesota’s most brutal and cold-blooded crimes — One of Minnesota’s most brutal and cold-blooded crimes occurred in a downtown Saint Paul butcher shop shortly after noon on February 18, 1905. At 12:05 PM, seventeen-year-old Walter Gerenz, delivery boy for Christian Schindeldecker’s butcher shop at 523 West 7th St., walked home to have lunch. He returned forty minutes…

Dream it and then do it — There is nothing wrong with dreaming. Seeing yourself as an integral part of a world you have always longed to join is essential for personal growth. I’m not afraid of having a dream. I do it all the time. My challenge has continuously come in the act of following through…

Assaulted and killed less than a half block from her home — The March 23, 1912, death of Alice Matthews shocked the city of Minneapolis. Attacked by a dark, brooding figure only a couple of doors from her home, she did everything possible to try to save her own life. Matthews fought bravely, but her cries for help went unheeded. Her case…

Personal views from the front seat of impending old age — One Sunday morning, I was sitting outside of Church with my grandfather-in-law. As we watched my teenagers make their way out of the building, the conversation moved to how big they had gotten. I turned to him and mentioned how fast things go. He smiled and said something I’ll never…

A journey into the past showed me some crooked branches on my family tree — I recently subscribed to a newspaper historical archives service in order to do research for an article. …

A special connection between a dad and daughter — “Higher daddy! I want to go higher!” I couldn’t help but smile and try to — safely — grant her wish. Sammie (only her grandpa called her Samantha) has always loved to swing in the backyard. …