"Let's have them build a railroad, ok?"

 

This article from the Princeton, Mn newspaper in December 1900 is interesting on a number of levels.  For one, I doubt that Lastrup OR Buckman were ever in serious contention for a Great Northern line, even tho most places dreamed of the railroad deciding to run thru their town.  There was a Great Northern line from St Cloud thru Milaca to Duluth, however.
Two, the only real rail line possibility was Pierz, but that was the Soo Line running to Duluth, and Pierz was rejected cuz North Pierz / South Pierz couldn't decide where the depot would go.
Three, was John Schmolke blowing smoke?  I wonder which bar the 'proposed  spur line from Milaca to Little Falls' was invented in. It's kinda preposterous, I think.

Four, the proposed "direct" route doesn't make any sense...lol

BTW, Larry found this article (surprised?) on Chronicling America from our own Library of Congress.  They've recently added more newspapers and more states, too.  Check it out--this is one of the GOOD things our taxes pay for.