11 August 1966- Cherokee times.
Life in Spring township of the late 19th century was far different than it is today. One who remembers this area in its early settlement days is Emelia Braasch.
Eldest daughter of homesteaders, Mr and Mrs Herman Braasch, she was born near Meriden in 1879. Later the family homesteaded in Spring township. The farm is now owed by the August Magnussen family.
It is for this early family the Braasch bridge across the Little Sioux acquired its name. Miss Emelia remembers her father rowing stranded travelers across the river at times of high water and floods.
Many will remember this was the only area bridge not under water in the 1965 flood as one attempted to get into Cherokee from the east.
The old Braasch was lower and further south than the present modern bridge bearing the name.
Her home was noted for another bit of local history. In her home was located the "Braasch telephone exchange." Folks desiring to reach Sutherland, Larabee or Peterson lines rang into this exchange and then some member of the Braasch family rang the desired party.
Emelia, who now makes her home at Millie's Rest Home, Sutherland, has roots deep in Spring township history. A brother and sister, twin babies who died shortly after birth are buried in Spring township cemetery now being cleaned up by the County historical Society.
"I went to school at the Wise School, the McCabe, and Flanders School, as they were called, she related, attending whichever one was lucky enough to have a teacher.
She remembered they drove to Fort Dodge for groceries when they first settled in the county. Most of their wheat was taken to the mill at Peterson for grinding.
Indians roaming the county are well within her memory too - but says this charming elder, "I was always more afraid of the gypsies who often through the country."
The Indians, she recalls came through each winter, camping on the Braasch land near the Little Sioux, begging for food from the farmers. "The farmer always gave them any surplus dogs," she remembers "fattened puppies were considered quite a delicacy."
Once, says Emelia, while the Indians camped in the area a young couple was shivareed - "that was the last time the Indians ever stopped here," declared Emelia.
A most alert elder, carrying her years well although handicapped physically she would much rather visit concerning todays events than to reminisce on the happenings of yesterday.
Early in life she learned the dressmakers trade going from home to home to make clothing for families desiring her services. Very few ready-made garments were available then so the mother or housewife would buy up enough materials to last for quite awhile. Then Emelia would be hired to come to the home and stay there until all the articles were made up, receiving the magnificent sum of $1.00 a day for her work.
She took sewing lessons from the late Kate Patterson of Cherokee whose father was Seven-Day Adventist minister in Cherokee at the time.
Now unable to get about to any extent, her prime source of enjoyment is visiting with friends who come to call and keeping up with the changing scene through these visits.
Life in Spring township of the late 19th century was far different than it is today. One who remembers this area in its early settlement days is Emelia Braasch.
Eldest daughter of homesteaders, Mr and Mrs Herman Braasch, she was born near Meriden in 1879. Later the family homesteaded in Spring township. The farm is now owed by the August Magnussen family.
It is for this early family the Braasch bridge across the Little Sioux acquired its name. Miss Emelia remembers her father rowing stranded travelers across the river at times of high water and floods.
Many will remember this was the only area bridge not under water in the 1965 flood as one attempted to get into Cherokee from the east.
The old Braasch was lower and further south than the present modern bridge bearing the name.
Her home was noted for another bit of local history. In her home was located the "Braasch telephone exchange." Folks desiring to reach Sutherland, Larabee or Peterson lines rang into this exchange and then some member of the Braasch family rang the desired party.
Emelia, who now makes her home at Millie's Rest Home, Sutherland, has roots deep in Spring township history. A brother and sister, twin babies who died shortly after birth are buried in Spring township cemetery now being cleaned up by the County historical Society.
"I went to school at the Wise School, the McCabe, and Flanders School, as they were called, she related, attending whichever one was lucky enough to have a teacher.
She remembered they drove to Fort Dodge for groceries when they first settled in the county. Most of their wheat was taken to the mill at Peterson for grinding.
Indians roaming the county are well within her memory too - but says this charming elder, "I was always more afraid of the gypsies who often through the country."
The Indians, she recalls came through each winter, camping on the Braasch land near the Little Sioux, begging for food from the farmers. "The farmer always gave them any surplus dogs," she remembers "fattened puppies were considered quite a delicacy."
Once, says Emelia, while the Indians camped in the area a young couple was shivareed - "that was the last time the Indians ever stopped here," declared Emelia.
A most alert elder, carrying her years well although handicapped physically she would much rather visit concerning todays events than to reminisce on the happenings of yesterday.
Early in life she learned the dressmakers trade going from home to home to make clothing for families desiring her services. Very few ready-made garments were available then so the mother or housewife would buy up enough materials to last for quite awhile. Then Emelia would be hired to come to the home and stay there until all the articles were made up, receiving the magnificent sum of $1.00 a day for her work.
She took sewing lessons from the late Kate Patterson of Cherokee whose father was Seven-Day Adventist minister in Cherokee at the time.
Now unable to get about to any extent, her prime source of enjoyment is visiting with friends who come to call and keeping up with the changing scene through these visits.
11 August 1966- Cherokee times.
Life in Spring township of the late 19th century was far different than it is today. One who remembers this area in its early settlement days is Emelia Braasch.
Eldest daughter of homesteaders, Mr and Mrs Herman Braasch, she was born near Meriden in 1879. Later the family homesteaded in Spring township. The farm is now owed by the August Magnussen family.
It is for this early family the Braasch bridge across the Little Sioux acquired its name. Miss Emelia remembers her father rowing stranded travelers across the river at times of high water and floods.
Many will remember this was the only area bridge not under water in the 1965 flood as one attempted to get into Cherokee from the east.
The old Braasch was lower and further south than the present modern bridge bearing the name.
Her home was noted for another bit of local history. In her home was located the "Braasch telephone exchange." Folks desiring to reach Sutherland, Larabee or Peterson lines rang into this exchange and then some member of the Braasch family rang the desired party.
Emelia, who now makes her home at Millie's Rest Home, Sutherland, has roots deep in Spring township history. A brother and sister, twin babies who died shortly after birth are buried in Spring township cemetery now being cleaned up by the County historical Society.
"I went to school at the Wise School, the McCabe, and Flanders School, as they were called, she related, attending whichever one was lucky enough to have a teacher.
She remembered they drove to Fort Dodge for groceries when they first settled in the county. Most of their wheat was taken to the mill at Peterson for grinding.
Indians roaming the county are well within her memory too - but says this charming elder, "I was always more afraid of the gypsies who often through the country."
The Indians, she recalls came through each winter, camping on the Braasch land near the Little Sioux, begging for food from the farmers. "The farmer always gave them any surplus dogs," she remembers "fattened puppies were considered quite a delicacy."
Once, says Emelia, while the Indians camped in the area a young couple was shivareed - "that was the last time the Indians ever stopped here," declared Emelia.
A most alert elder, carrying her years well although handicapped physically she would much rather visit concerning todays events than to reminisce on the happenings of yesterday.
Early in life she learned the dressmakers trade going from home to home to make clothing for families desiring her services. Very few ready-made garments were available then so the mother or housewife would buy up enough materials to last for quite awhile. Then Emelia would be hired to come to the home and stay there until all the articles were made up, receiving the magnificent sum of $1.00 a day for her work.
She took sewing lessons from the late Kate Patterson of Cherokee whose father was Seven-Day Adventist minister in Cherokee at the time.
Now unable to get about to any extent, her prime source of enjoyment is visiting with friends who come to call and keeping up with the changing scene through these visits.
Life in Spring township of the late 19th century was far different than it is today. One who remembers this area in its early settlement days is Emelia Braasch.
Eldest daughter of homesteaders, Mr and Mrs Herman Braasch, she was born near Meriden in 1879. Later the family homesteaded in Spring township. The farm is now owed by the August Magnussen family.
It is for this early family the Braasch bridge across the Little Sioux acquired its name. Miss Emelia remembers her father rowing stranded travelers across the river at times of high water and floods.
Many will remember this was the only area bridge not under water in the 1965 flood as one attempted to get into Cherokee from the east.
The old Braasch was lower and further south than the present modern bridge bearing the name.
Her home was noted for another bit of local history. In her home was located the "Braasch telephone exchange." Folks desiring to reach Sutherland, Larabee or Peterson lines rang into this exchange and then some member of the Braasch family rang the desired party.
Emelia, who now makes her home at Millie's Rest Home, Sutherland, has roots deep in Spring township history. A brother and sister, twin babies who died shortly after birth are buried in Spring township cemetery now being cleaned up by the County historical Society.
"I went to school at the Wise School, the McCabe, and Flanders School, as they were called, she related, attending whichever one was lucky enough to have a teacher.
She remembered they drove to Fort Dodge for groceries when they first settled in the county. Most of their wheat was taken to the mill at Peterson for grinding.
Indians roaming the county are well within her memory too - but says this charming elder, "I was always more afraid of the gypsies who often through the country."
The Indians, she recalls came through each winter, camping on the Braasch land near the Little Sioux, begging for food from the farmers. "The farmer always gave them any surplus dogs," she remembers "fattened puppies were considered quite a delicacy."
Once, says Emelia, while the Indians camped in the area a young couple was shivareed - "that was the last time the Indians ever stopped here," declared Emelia.
A most alert elder, carrying her years well although handicapped physically she would much rather visit concerning todays events than to reminisce on the happenings of yesterday.
Early in life she learned the dressmakers trade going from home to home to make clothing for families desiring her services. Very few ready-made garments were available then so the mother or housewife would buy up enough materials to last for quite awhile. Then Emelia would be hired to come to the home and stay there until all the articles were made up, receiving the magnificent sum of $1.00 a day for her work.
She took sewing lessons from the late Kate Patterson of Cherokee whose father was Seven-Day Adventist minister in Cherokee at the time.
Now unable to get about to any extent, her prime source of enjoyment is visiting with friends who come to call and keeping up with the changing scene through these visits.
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