35-Day Crime Spree Capped by a Hail of Bullets, Part 1

By Charles Pederson

In 1929, a massive gunfight between lawmen and the bad guys ripped through downtown. Was it in Chicago or New York City? No. It was Shakopee! 

People often associate the Great Depression (October 24, 1929–1939) with crime throughout the United States. Even Scott County had its share of illicit activity: throughout the county, gambling, illegal liquour clubs called speakeasies, and unlawful stills could be found.

Bank robbery was also on the agenda, including 35 days of robberies that rocked the county.

The Roaring 20s had seen a steep rise in bank robberies throughout the United States, and Minnesota bankers were not happy with government response. Rather than wait, the Minnesota Bankers Association organized groups of citizens called rangers (essentially, these were posses) to be deputized by county sheriffs in case of robbery. Additionally, rewards (“dead or alive”) of up to $5,000 ($80,000 today—multiply 1929 money amounts by 16 to get the estimated 2021 equivalent) were offered at each bank in the association for the capture or killing of any robbers. “‘Shoot to kill’ will be the instructions,” warned the Minneapolis Journal newspaper. Satisfied with their preparations, Minnesota’s bankers went about their business.

The Crime Spree Begins—First Robbery

On November 5, 1929, the Depression was less than two weeks old. In late 1929 and 1930, the unemployment rate jumped from 3.2% to 8.7% (still far below the 1933 high of nearly 25%). The U.S. economy had been weak during the summer of 1929, but it simply collapsed around people’s lives in October, robbing them of jobs, dignity, and future security. It may not be a surprise that ordinary folk felt pushed into crime to earn a living, or that those already in crimes stepped up their activities in an environment ripe for plucking.

Case in point, November 5, 1929: Three men entered the First Bank of Savage, demanding money and getting away with approximately $1,200. They escaped, though four men were later arrested and questioned. Of those four, John Morrow and Walter Williamson were positively identified by bank employees and were bound over to a grand jury. Byron Green and Edward J. Dee were released after bank employees could not identify them. Police, however, arrested Green in connection with crime in the southeastern Minnesota town of Caledonia and a series of creamery robbers in nearby counties.

Second Robbery

The excitement caused by the events in Savage was subsiding, and county life was just settling down, when bam!—on December 5, three armed men entered the Belle Plaine First National Bank. They threatened bank employees and got away with $6,000. They remained at large. Fear ratcheted up, and county residents fearfully wondered where and when the next robbery would be and what had happened to the robbers. All their questions eventually would be answered. For now, people could only speculate.

Bank check from the First National Bank of Belle Plaine, circa 1930. SCHS Collection.

Mysterious Tip-Off

Shortly after the Belle Plaine robbery,  Charles Brown, head of the Minnesota Bankers Protective Association, dramatically announced he had received “from underworld sources” a tip about a robbery in Scott County. Acting on the tip, he notified all the county banks to be alert.

Around 2:00 a.m. on December 9, Brown received a second mysterious tip that the Shakopee bank was the target—for that very day. Brown notified the Scott County sheriff, Joseph Weckman. They armed themselves and several others and hid at short distances around the bank. Brown himself carried a Thompson submachine gun, famous for its part in New York and Chicago gangland shootouts.

Unaware of the warm welcome awaiting them in downtown Shakopee, three men drove into town. The men—Fred McKusick, also known as Frankie Morris, of Chicago; William “Bud” McNearney (or McInerney, depending which newspaper you read), of Saint Paul; and George Larkin—had stolen the car in Saint Paul. All three were known to police in various jurisdictions for criminal activity. No doubt they thought this would be a quick and easy, in-and-out bank job—a bunch of rural hicks against experienced lawbreakers. At least they were right about the “quick” part.

Inside and Around the Bank

Blissfully going about their everyday tasks, six people were already inside the bank: Henry Marshall, local farmer; Lucille Schwartz, bookkeeper; John Thien, cashier; E. J. Huber, assistant cashier; Theodore Weiland, president; and his son, C. T. Weiland, cashier.

Lucille Schwartz (far left) with her sisters as children, 1905. SCHS Collection.

The robbers parked in front of the bank and rushed in, forcing everyone onto the floor. Marshall stated that the “bandits fired a couple of shots into the ceiling, probably to terrorize us.” They grabbed $2,000 from the vault and headed for the street again. Huber later reported that the bank actually contained about $100,000. The early warning from Brown, however, had allowed the bankers to hide almost all the money.

The robbers could not have known that their easy day was about to end. When they emerged from the bank, at least five concealed people fired weapons, including Brown’s Tommy gun. McNearney, although shot several times, staggered back into the bank, attempting to escape through a back door. However, Al Tiedt, a nearby restaurant owner, raced out his back door when the shooting started. “I took the shotgun and ran out into the alley,” he recalled. When he saw McNearney, “I aimed and let him have it. The slugs hit him in the shoulder and face and sort of spun him around.” The robber dropped the money he carried but kept running, so Tiedt “hit him in the legs. He went down.”

Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion to the story in Part 2!

The History of Louisville Township Part 4: Marystown

View of Marystown. ca. 1970-1980. SCHS Collection.

Marystown began as a collection of mostly German immigrants in the southeastern corner of Louisville Township. As Father Klein, a famously verbose priest, wrote in the 1930s, Marystown was founded “by intrepid settlers and their wives who hewed out of the primeval forest homes in what is now one of the fairest and most productive regions of this smiling land.”  

St. Mary’s Church

By 1850 there were “around 700 Germans” in the area but no church. Instead, traveling priests would hold services in local homes, announcing their presence by ringing a bell as they rode through farmsteads. To remedy this, community members built St. Mary’s Church. It is generally agreed that St. Mary’s is the first organized Catholic parish in Scott County and likely one of the oldest in the entire region. 

According to legend, the church was named St. Mary’s due to a passing conversation during its construction. One day, two men were cutting wood for the building. One asked the other what day it was. He replied, “Maria Lichtmess - the Feast of St. Mary’s of the Purification.” The name stuck and was given to the completed church.

The original building for St. Mary’s Church was completed in 1855, though it burned during a brushfire before it was even completed. It was rebuilt in 1856. Subsequent rebuildings took place in 1870 and 1882. 

In 1917, St. Mary’s Church was once again destroyed by fire. The parish chronicles described the fire thus: 

“Father Ziskovksy gave the alarm. The flames were shooting high up into the sky. The people, aroused by the telephone, gathered around the scene. Human power could not stay the demon of fire. The church bells crashed down from the belfry and were shattered to fragments. The flames licked up all except the heavy stone walls. Pastor and people were in tears and sorrow. . . . The disastrous fire stirred the spirit of sacrifice in pastor and people, and they set to work at once to rebuild the church on improved architectural style...The old stone walls were inspected by competent authority and declared in good condition. Architect and contractor were engaged and the constructed progressed so rapidly that by the end of the year the church was completely rebuilt at a cost of $23,183.43 and all paid for.””

St. Mary’s church was also home to a great deal of celebration. In addition to the usual weddings, services, and community events, the people of Marystown came together to commemorate the history of the church itself. Below is a sampling of celebrations at St. Mary’s Church: 

July 1882

The cornerstone was laid for the newly rebuilt St. Mary’s Church. Celebrations happened on July 14, and according to the Shakopee Courier, were attended by nearly all community members. Vierling’s Shakopee Band accompanied “the formation of a long procession of societies and people escorting [Bishop Grace of Saint Paul] into town.” The reporter concluded that “the day was fine and all seemed to enjoy the occasion very much.” 

October 1980

St. Mary’s held a gala to honor the church’s 125th anniversary. The day began with a Mass held by Archbishop John Roach, in which he stated, “I have long been aware of the depth of faith, vitality of community, and the long history of this church in Marystown.” Afterward, visitors and church members were taken on tours of the church and grounds, where a display was set up showcasing photographs and memories from past parishioners. At noon, a turkey dinner for several hundred was served, followed by turkey and cake throughout the afternoon. 

“Pig-Kissing, games, quilt raffle highlight Marystown Church festival.” Shakopee Valley News, August 14, 1997.

Marystown School

In 1864, a priest known as Father Benedict organized a school society for St. Mary’s Church. According to Father Klein’s 1930 history of the parish, “There was no schoolhouse. The first children, few in number, came to Mr. John Thies who operated a saloon, and received from him a few hours’ instruction daily at certain periods of the year.” Klein also recounted an often-told story that resulted from holding school at a saloon: “A humorous (or tragic) incident occurred one day. One of the boys, Louis-‘played naughty.’ Not resorting to the rod as teachers were wont to do in those days, Mr. Thies opened the cellar door and sent Louis down below. It is not told how bright Louis was over his books and figures; but in the dusk of the cellar he got the bright idea to pull the stopper of a barrel and test the strength of the “spirits” contained in the cask. Mr. Thies inflicted no more punishments of that nature.” 

Not long after that, St. Mary’s school moved out of the saloon and into the original parish house, a 16 x 22-foot cabin. During this time, school was taught by the Catholic Sisters of Charity and consisted of 5 months of academic education and 5 months of religious instruction each year. 

In 1893, a new brick building was constructed. The actual teaching in the school flipped back and forth between Catholic sisters and “lay teachers.” Finally, in 1921 a system was put in place whereby Grades 1 and 2 were public school with a hired teacher, and the rest of the grades were run as a Catholic school and taught by sisters. This system continued until the school closed. 

Regina Mechtel remembered going to school in Marystown in the early 1900s and shared her recollections with a reporter from the Prior Lake American in 1987. She said there were only three or four teachers for the whole school, and “the teachers also moved students up as their skills improved. Age wasn’t such a big thing. You went into the next class when you were ready.” She also noted that some students missed a great deal of the school year due to farm work, spending years in the same grade. Students would also miss school in the winter because of bad weather. Regina lived only a short distance from the schoolhouse and was usually able to make it in. She noted that “there would be some days when there would be just a few of us in class because the rest couldn’t get here. Those days were kinda nice because those of us who were there got a lot of help from our teacher.” 

The Marystown School closed its doors in 1970, with students joining other, larger districts. 

“98-Year-Old Marystown School Torn Down to Make Room for Parish Center.” Shakopee Valley News, October 4, 1990.

Business in Marystown

One of the first notable Marystown businesses was the Marystown Creamery, organized in 1918. Like several other early creameries in Scott County, the establishment was cooperatively owned. Farmers pooled their available milk and sold butter collectively at the highest price.

During Prohibition (1920-1933), there were burglaries at several creameries in Scott County. Stories accused bootleggers of stealing butter in order to trade it for illicit alcohol. The Marystown Creamery was stolen from three times in 1922. Each time the theft was of a relatively small supply of butter. For example, 96 pounds were stolen in December. Each of the incidents was conducted on a Sunday night, leading locals to believe that the same person was responsible for all of the thefts. The culprit was never apprehended, and Marystown Creamery stayed in business until 1927.

Another farmers’ cooperative was the Louisville Mutual Insurance Company, established around 1886 by a group of Marystown farmers. In 1936, the company celebrated its golden jubilee. A speaker praised the fact that it had “1205 policies in force with no unpaid claims.” This organization merged with other community insurance groups several times and it still exists today. 

Wagner General Store supplied the area residents until the late 1960s. Wagner claimed, “We had this sign hanging above the door that read ‘if we don’t have it, you don’t need it,’ and that’s how it was.” He went on to describe, “You know it was one of those community affairs. For example we had 1400 lbs of bolts so if any of the farmers had something break on their machines they could come to our place and get something to fix it. . . . During the time they did harvest or filled silo, we never took any time off. We worked around their needs.” Since people did a lot of canning, the store kept a supply of vinegar in 50 gallon jugs.

Wagner’s store stayed open until the 1960s. Later, a bar opened in the old store building. By 1987, this bar was the only business remaining in Marystown and a gathering place for the local community. Local resident Brad Luce described it as “someplace to go after your chores. Otherwise you’d never see your friends.”

In 1987, the Prior Lake American published an article profiling Marystown. The piece noted that the community’s business district never really blossomed due to proximity to the larger communities of Shakopee and Jordan. In spite of this, Marystown was home at various points to “two general stores, a blacksmith shop, a saloon, a creamery, a garage and a gas pump.” 

Further Reading:

Most resources for this article on Marystown are from local newspapers. To dig into this topic further, come visit our Research Library and we can help you find the articles you’re looking for! We are located at 235 South Fuller St, Shakopee, MN and are open Monday-Friday 9am-4pm. 

The History of Louisville Township Part 3: Merriam Junction

Merriam Junction train tracks with the train station visible in the distance, date unknown. Scott County Historical Society collection.

Like Louisville, Merriam Junction was located in the northwestern part of Louisville Township, near the present-day site of the Renaissance Festival. From its onset, the community was conceived as a transportation hub. It was located at the crossing of two major railroad lines—the Minneapolis and St. Louis Railroad and the St. Paul and Sioux City. The crossing was an active transfer point for regional travelers.

The community itself was not surveyed until 1866, at the behest of the rail companies. The first structures built were not stores or farm buildings, but a train depot and a rail agent’s house belonging to the St. Paul and Sioux City Railroad. Because the two lines running through the junction were competitors, a second depot for the Minneapolis and St. Louis Railroad was built about a mile away. It wasn’t until 1878 when the original depot burned down that the two companies finally reached an agreement to share a single structure. 

The Merriam Junction train station, date unknown. Scott County Historical Society collection.

Because Merriam was a major crossing point, a community soon sprang up around the rail buildings. A store opened, along with two hotels—one in 1879 and one in 1881. Both hotel buildings were two-story, wood-framed buildings. The hotels provided meals for those with short layovers and a place to stay overnight for travelers with longer delays. A water tower and coal bin were also built for the settlement, useful for resupplying steam engines. A post office opened in 1872, run by H. H. Spencer, the former promoter of Louisville. Like Louisville, this post office was unfortunately short-lived, closing in 1873. 

Julius Coller described Merriam Junction in his book The Shakopee Story, published in 1960. He said, “It was quite the little settlement. The businesses were largely patronized by traveling people and people working for the railroad.” He also described the outsized impact that Merriam Junction had on the region: “Shakopee became a way station with a stub train consisting of an engine, a baggage car, and coach running from St Paul to Merriam and return. Travelers had to change trains at Merriam to make the 12 mile trip from Shakopee to Jordan” 

At the community’s height, an average of 20 trains went through Merriam Junction each day. With such a high rate of mobility in the population, Merriam developed a local reputation for being home to transitory communities. The area was home to a group of Eastern European immigrants, called gypsies at the time. Supposedly they camped near the waystation because the water tower and coal bins provided easy access to fuel and fresh water. Local residents at the time also complained that they would beg, or come to local houses in an attempt to buy food. Unfortunately, this small group of families took on a negative, almost legendary status in households at the time. Children would be warned that they would be taken by the “gypsies” if they were naughty, and unsubstantiated tales of stolen livestock abounded. 

Merriam Junction was also chosen as a hideout for the nationally notorious James Brothers gang. After their famous robbery at the Northfield Bank, the gang hid out in a cave near Merriam, supposedly obscuring their tracks by putting their horses’ shoes on backward. Some members of the gang, the younger brothers of Jesse James, were captured after this incident.

Though the train spelled disaster for Louisville, the rise of the automobile led to the end of Merriam Junction. Even though trains were still being used for shipping and distance travel, by the 1920s, shorter-distance trips for business and pleasure were being taken by automobile instead of rail. Passengers no longer needed the services of a community like Merriam Junction, and the hotels and stores, reliant on travelers, lost their customers. By the end of the 1920s, Merriam Junction, like Louisville before it, was mostly deserted. 

Further Reading

• Coller, J. (1976). The Shakopee Story. North Star Pictures, Inc. Available to look at in the SCHS research library.

• Stanwood, M. (2017, October 19). “A Chance for Beginners”: Ghost Towns of the Southwest Metro. Swnewsmedia. https://www.swnewsmedia.com/eden_prairie_news/news/local/a-chance-for-beginners-ghost-towns-of-the-southwest-metro/article_d9645265-06d1-5fd5-9b10-447998297792.html

“Step Right Up”: Leo Albrecht's Five Decades With the Circus

By Heather Hoagland, SCHS Director, with Charles Pederson

Have you ever dreamed of running off and joining the circus? Leo Albrecht did.

An expert in acrobatics, slack wire walking, juggling, balancing, circus wagon carving, artistry, and animal training, Leo spent over half his life traveling the United States as a circus owner and performer. He performed in large cities and small towns, for roaring crowds and wide-eyed children, sometimes returning home after long absences only to visit family.

An Early Start, and a Family Affair

Born in 1890 in Belle Plaine, young Leo fell in love with the circus at age 8 after seeing a Gollmar Bros. Circus come through his hometown. He spent the rest of his long life devoted to show business. As one Iowa newspaper put it, he was “a trouper’s trouper [who] had sawdust in his veins.” Leo staged his first circus in 1901, at the age of 10.

Along with his brothers Chris and Walter, a cousin, Lawrence, and a very understanding goat, Leo held an Albrecht Circus in a vacant lot in Belle Plaine. The old schoolhouse is visible in the background. (Belle Plaine Herald, August 29, 1974)

Leo balances a wagon wheel on his chin while his son Leo Jr. gives a command to one of the family’s performing dogs. The wagon wheel weighed as much as 100 pounds. (Source and date unknown)

By around 1915, Leo’s name was appearing as a slack wire performer and acrobat. Slack wire involves a narrow wire being loosely anchored at each end (to posts, trees, ceiling, or whatever is strong enough to hold the performer). The performer moves through the air, back and forth along the flexible wire. To ease the pain and stress on one’s feet from walking on the wire, soft shoes are usually worn.

Leo started his own circus and was touring by the late 1920s. In April 1928, Leo married Angela Quast of Winsted, MN. Angela joined her new husband on the road. The couple began to have children, and as Leo’s family grew, everyone got in on the act—literally.

• Angela filled in as costume designer, purchasing agent, and treasurer. She even worked the dogs, ponies, and diving goat, dubbed Madam Lillian.

• The couple’s three sons, Leo Jr. (Sonny), David, and Gary, all became performers and manual laborers called roustabouts. In fact, according to his obituary, Sonny once “built an entire stage using only a hammer, a drill, and a handsaw.”

• Finally two daughters-in-law—Arlene (David’s wife), an acrobat, rolling globe, and juggler, and Gloria (Sonny’s wife), an accomplished singer and aerialist —joined the family and the circus. Gloria had a double circus pedigree: Her grandfather, Jay Gould, like Leo, had also been the proprietor of a traveling circus. He made famous the John Wilkes Booth mummy and gave Laurence Welk his first job in show business. Jay was also the only showman who presented circus parades.

A Dog and Pony Show

Leo’s specialty was animal training. The Albright Circus (as the troupe became known in the 1940s) was a literal dog and pony show. Over the course of his career, Leo trained 30 ponies and more than 300 dogs.

A 1953 article in the Daily Republic of Mitchell, South Dakota, recounts the story of Cupid, a 4-year-old wire-haired terrier that jumped from a 60-foot ladder: 

Cupid is so eager to perform her act that after the tower-ladder apparatus is set up Albright has to place a board at the entrance of the ladder to prevent her from climbing and making her leap ahead of schedule. Thursday night at the circus, as 2,000 people watched, she eagerly climbed the ladder, tail wagging, and made her leap as if she enjoyed every second of it. 

Albright’s method of training his dogs (he owns 15 [spitzes], two wire-haired terriers and three albino huskies) is unique. The secret of his success, he believes, is patience and kindness. 

One of Leo’s spitz dogs balances upside down on Leo’s hand. (Mitchell Daily Republic, July 10, 1953)

The Lean Times and the Fat

You might think the circus life is glamorous. Far from it. The circus and its members were often gone for months at a time. The Belle Plaine Herald described one visit home for the Albrecht family. They returned home for Christmas in 1939: “With the exception of occasional brief drop-ins, it is six years since Leo has been back for any appreciable time. . . . He is taking a vacation this winter for the first time in many years.”

The circus acquired at least one colorful wagon, pulled by ponies that also performed in the show. This gilded royal coach was built by Leo Albrecht over a 5-year period encompassing over 2000 hours of work. It is patterned after the carriage used in the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II of England in 1953. The coach was used in the Shrine circus in 1960 and was also featured in Popular Mechanic Magazine that same year. (Scott County Historical Society Collections, date unknown)

Traveling wasn’t necessarily the worst part of circus life. When Leo took his show on the road in 1929, he couldn’t have chosen a worse time. That year saw the start of the Great Depression. Keeping the caravan of wagons, tents, trucks, costumes, and other gear in good order was a struggle. “In those times the adage was ‘A little lean, a little fat,’ but Leo can tell you it was mostly lean,” said an Iowa newspaper writer.

And no matter their circus destination, the local people were often unable to pay the entrance fee. Sometimes they made in-kind payment with bartered food or other goods. One news account asserted that the circus even folded during the Depression and was later reconstituted as “Albright’s Attractions,” with family members playing key roles in performing and managing the concern.

Despite the hardships, the family was self-sufficient. They turned their hand to all manner of work to make ends meet. They even painted local buildings and did wallpapering when no circus engagements were to be found. Leo also did mural painting at need. And yet, the circus often thrived through the decades. Their show received glowing reviews:

• Praise for “Jimmie, the $10,000 pony and Diamond, who knows all the colors of the rainbow” (Sioux County [IA] Index, June 1938).

• “Excellent show. . . . I can heartily recommend the Albrecht Circus” (Q. A. Smart, School Superintendent, Bowdle South Dakota, October 21, 1938).

• In Carroll, Iowa, the “indoor circus proved a big attraction” (Daily Herald, February 1938).

• “Plenty of dog and pony acts” (Postville [IA] Herald, August 1947).

• “Dogs, ponies, monkeys, clowns, acrobats, jugglers, magic wire, many more star acts. Morally clean in every respect” (La Porte City, IA, Progress-Review, May 1963).

Not every review was quite as enthusiastic: “The dog and pony show [is] okay. . . . At least he is no whiskey head” (A. A. Spurlock, Justice of the Peace, Gould, Arkansas, 1935).

No matter the reviews—good or bad—the Albrecht circus continued to make its rounds.

David Albrecht spray-paints over their circus trailer, while Leo looks on. (Belle Plaine Herald, August 8, 1963)

Leaving the Circus Behind

After five decades in the circus business, Leo and Angela finally settled down for good in Belle Plaine in 1968. Later that year, Leo told the Minneapolis Star—in an article titled “Owner, 73, Closes Family Circus; Succumbs to TV, Not Age”—that the shutdown was due to poor attendance and the advance of technology. “Today people can see the world’s greatest circus acts on television for nothing. . . . This has hurt the little circus that plays small towns.”

In an interview for his hometown paper, the Belle Plaine Herald, however, Leo reflected on his career.

“If I had it to do over again, I would probably do the same thing. . . . I really love the circus business. We had a number of rough years but they help you appreciate the good years.”

Leo remained an active member of the community until he died in 1989 at the age of 98. He is buried at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery in Belle Plaine.

Leo Albrecht retired to Belle Plaine in 1968 and spent the last part of his life as an active member of the community, including being elected Outstanding Senior Man in 1978 (Belle Plaine Herald, August 10, 1978).

(Image from the SCHS Library, source and date unknown)

Like this Article? Read more about Leo Albrecht and his circus at these sources:

• Albrecht, Dale. (2019). Tales of a small town circus legend. Self-published. Also available to view at the SCHS research library, open M-F 9-4pm.

• Albrecht, Mike. (2020, April 8). Hometown author discovers his family may be part owner of infamous Lincoln Assassin’s mummy. Belle Plaine Herald.

• Belle Plaine Herald. (2019, September 18). Leo “Sonny” Albrecht: The life of local historian, author and entertainer.

• Circus Historical Society. (n.d.). Circuses—Brief bits. [Quotes from newspapers, reviews]. (scroll down to Albrecht Bros. Circus)

• Circus Historical Society. (n.d.). Stevens Bros. circus—1946 [Photos].

• Find a Grave. (n.d.) Leo Mathias Albrecht.

• Kolden Funeral Services. (2019). Leo “Sonny” Albrecht.

• McLeod County Historical Society and Museum. (n.d.). Albrecht, Leo Joseph “Sonny” [Photos].

• Ruud, Dan. (2015, July 29). Blakely antique collector selling a lifetime of treasures. Belle Plaine Herald, 31, 1, 6.

The History of Louisville Township Part 2: Louisville

Building a Town

Louisville was originally platted by French fur trader Louis LaCroix who established a trading post on the bank of the river, likely in 1850. In 1853, H. H. Spencer arrived from Louisville, Kentucky with his family. He envisioned a community in the northwest corner of the township thriving on steamboat travel and trade along the Minnesota River. Spencer soon began buying up lots. He built a home for his family, a grocery store, and a post office where he established himself as postmaster - and also offered free lots to other tradespeople who were willing to set up shop in the new community. Spencer then began working to recoup his investment, and make the town a financial success. Soon, he was advertising the prospects of  Louisville in newspapers around the region. 

This lengthy paragraph about Louisville was placed in the Minnesota Democratic Weekly on May 23, 1855: 

“Located on the South Bank of the Minnesota River at the nearest point below the Little Rapids that is above high water, it is about 50 miles above St. Paul, by the river and 34 by land, and 10 or 12 miles by the river and 6 miles by land above Shakopee. Louisville is on a high rolling Prairie, with a number of springs of the best water and an abundance of good limestone in the vicinity. Louisville has a first rate landing for steamboats and is the landing place for that rich expansive country bordering and on the prairie and the big woods, and when the water is low for steamboats to cross the rapids, it is the place for the travellers to and from the Upper Minnesota country to leave the steamboat and take one when bound for st paul, being the principal traveled road from St Paul to St Peter, Fort Ridgley etc. Travellers to the upper country will find teams at Louisville and vicinity to convey them up to this country. Strangers looking for claims can get information of conveyances to a very rich country back unclaimed and well timbered and water interrupted with meadows and beautiful lakes abounding with fish. Louisville has a store and hotel in operation, and a blacksmith shop and several dwelling buildings. Persons looking for liquidations are also invited to visit this place where H. H. Spencer, one of the proprietors, will be found ready and willing to sell property at fair prices. Great induments will be offered to mechanics, merchants etc to settle her this season. The place is laid off on a liberal plan. Lots 50 by 150 foot. Streets and alleys wide, and liberal donations have been made by the proprietors in the way of public grounds for churches and school purposes. ”

— Minnesota Democratic Weekly on May 23, 1855

Another example is this advertisement, published in the Daily Minnesotan Newspaper, November 1st, 1854: 

“A new town is to be laid out on the Minnesota River, some 15 miles above Shakopee. A saw mill, warehouse, and a large hotel are to be erected this fall and early in the return of spring. Enterprising gentlemen from New York and Wisconsin have recently made purchases at the place, and will be on with their families in spring. A friend of ours in the section says we in St Paul can have no real conception of the rapidity with which this whole upper country is being filled up with immigrants. He estimated that no less than six thousand settlers have gone in above Shakopee since the opening of navigation last spring. This village is situated on the south side of the Minnesota at the foot of the little rapids. The town is going ahead- keeping pace with other thriving villages of the valley.  Mr. H. H. Spencer is one of the proprietors and he has set up business on the spot. He took up by the Black Hawk yesterday several families to settle there, and lumber to build them houses. The land in the vicinity is excellent, and the country is rapidly filling up.”

— Daily Minnesotan Newspaper, November 1st, 1854

As a result of this campaign, around 30 families moved to the settlement.

A section of the obituary for J.W. Sencerbox, printed in the Scott County Argus, January 16, 1896

Building up Business

In 1856, Spencer built a gristmill in Louisville. Later that year, two steam mills were constructed, one by Ezra Gibbs, and one by J. W. Sencerbox. Both mills were operated by steam, as the Minnesota River was too placid at the townsite to provide enough power to operate a mill. Neither mill was destined for a long life, however. Gibbs’ business was unprofitable from the onset, and closed within the year. Sencerbox’s mill only lasted four years, closing its doors in 1865. 

In 1857, Spencer put down the funds to have a schoolhouse built in the town. A teacher, Hattie Kingsly, was brought on board. However, a 1937 article in the Jordan Independent describes the grim future of the schoolhouse thus: “An interest in education did not take in Louisville and from 1859 to 1863 the schoolhouse stood idle. Summer school was conducted in the next two years, and in winter of 1865-1866 Miss Belle Spencer held classes, but they were the last for Louisville”

Louisville never established a church, often a bedrock of early European American settlements in the area. Services were only held intermittently by circuit riders, usually in the home of H. H. Spencer. 

The Decline of Louisville

In this period of history, rail could make or break a fledgling town. Trains brought goods and supplies, as well as convenient shipping lanes for local farmers and merchants. They also brought new people to settle and expand local communities.

Soon after Louisville was constructed, shipping and travel began to move from steamboats to the more convenient rail lines. Louisville’s death was foretold when the St Paul and Sioux City railroad was mapped out. It bypassed Louisville entirely, traveling from Shakopee to Jordan, and crossing with the Minneapolis and St Louis railroad line at a point called Merriam Junction.  Farmers in the area began to take their goods and business elsewhere. 

In spite of his hearty publicity campaign, Spencer’s interest in the town soon began to wane. He closed his original grocery store in 1859. By the end of the 1860s, the town was nearly deserted. 

Railroads in Louisville Township. Photo from the Shakopee Valley News, September 16, 1987.