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1895: Temperance union celebrates anniversary; snake removed from stomach

Subhead
Bits by Betty
Lead Summary
By
Betty Mann, president, Rock County Historical Society

The following articles appeared in The Rock County Herald during 1895.
 
Jan. 11, 1895
The HERALD takes great pleasure in announcing to its readers that it has again made arrangements by which it is enabled to furnish the Weekly New York Tribune to its patrons for 25 cents per year, or both for 58 cents, per year. This price is probably less than the cost of the white paper, and the offer is a bargain which no one who wants to “keep posted” and desires to have reliable information respecting political questions of current importance, can afford to miss.
 
Feb. 15, 1895
The Gospel Temperance union celebrated the first anniversary of its organization in an appropriate manner Wednesday afternoon and evening at Armory Hall Opera house. During the afternoon refreshments were served in the rooms in the second story of the Opera house, and a large number of people from all parts of the county enjoyed the feat. Wednesday evening a delightful programme was successfully rendered to an audience only measured by the capacity of the building. People were present from Adrian, Hardwick, Beaver Creek, Hills, Steen, Ash Creek, Magnolia and other points, and a happier crowd was never assembled in Luverne. The W. C. T. U. has the Gospel Temperance Union under its wing, and the HERALD asserts that anything is bound to succeed over which it casts its protecting influence.
 
March 1, 1895
Readers of the HERALD will remember that sometime last summer we published an item stating that a snake seven inches in length had been removed from the stomach of Ole Evenson, of Denver township. Mr. Evenson called at the HERALD office Tuesday and gave more complete particulars regarding the affair. He is under the impression that while on a trip through South Dakota some eight years ago he swallowed an egg or small snake while drinking water from some of the springs or sloughs. For seven years he suffered untold agony. He could feel that “animal” crawling around his insides and was unable to retain any food whatever which did not suit the fancy of his snakeship. Any food of a sour or salty nature would cause Mr. Evenson the most excruciating pain followed by violent vomiting until the contents of his stomach were entirely removed. Last summer he took a big dose of strychnine which did not agree with the snake, nor Mr. Evenson, either for that matter, but the snake was dislodged and when vomited up was still alive. Mr. Evenson now has the snake in a bottle pickled in alcohol. Since the removal of the snake Mr. Evenson has gained 23 pounds in weight and experiences no discomfort from any food he may eat. Physicians, however, tell Mr. Evenson that the snake perforated his stomach with small holes which may in time cause him serious trouble.
 
         Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

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