January 26, 2006Death of Liberty DuckThe following appeared in the Rock County Herald on October 11, 1918.CAREER OF FAMOUS LIBERTY DUCK ENDEDDeath Overtakes Bird that Laid Vast Number of Golden Eggs for Rock County Chapter, A. R. C.Liberty Duck, the bird that laid the golden eggs for the Rock County Chapter, American Red Cross, is no more. Its useful earthly career ended last Wednesday and that afternoon it was buried at the home of Harry Rodman, its keeper, in a grave strewn with flowers by the children of Mr. Rodman’s family.For a number of months Liberty Duck has been noticeably declining, its great feats on behalf of the Red Cross presumably having undermined its health. The tender care given it by Mr. Rodman was unavailing, and when the end came the duck’s condition was such as to make it impossible to have it mounted for a memorial as was originally planned.Through the sale of Liberty Duck at various auctions the treasury of the Rock County Chapter was enriched by the sum of $16,752.64, making her the highest priced bird in the world. She was famed throughout the country and her death will be regretted by all Red Cross workers.Donations to the Rock County Historical Endowment Fund may be sent to the Historical Society, P.O. Box 741, Luverne, MN 56156.