Cook County News Herald

Down Memory Lane




10 Years Ago
· Nov. 1, 1999 • Ranked number 1 in the state from its opening practice, the Cook County High School Viking football team finished a perfect regular season on Oct. 20 with a 65-6 shelling of Chisholm.

The win made conference champions out of the Vikings and fueled speculation about whether any team in the state can dethrone the Cook County squad.

Offensively, the Vikings outscored their opponents 445-46 during the regular season — an incredible performance on both sides of the ball, and a sign that the Viking juggernaut will be difficult to stop. • TheNovember 2000 election may well have a special item on the Cook County ballot, one where residents can vote yes or no to having an appointed county auditor/treasurer and county recorder.

These positions are now elected.

20 Years Ago
· Oc t. 30, 1989 • County Commissioner Chester Lindskog voiced dismay over progress toward building Cook County’s proposed new airport, which has been on the drawing board for over a decade, at last week’s board meeting.

“I won’t vote a dime for another study or for an airport,” Lindskog said. “No one can agree. Half the Airport Committee wants it on top of the hill (north of Devil Track Lake) and half want it on the bottom.”

The Airport Committee will make a presentation to the County Board on Tuesday. • A Grand Marais man was apprehended following a high-speed chase near Cook County High School at about 1:35 a.m. Oct. 22.

Thecounty sheriff and a police officerpursued the vehicle from the high school grounds, where it crashed through an orange metal gate, west along County Road 7. The vehicle crossed the Gunflint Trail without stopping, and the officers saw sparks flying as the vehicle bottomed out in the intersection. The vehicle was traveling without headlights.

The vehicle pulled over along County Road 7 about 2 1/2 miles west of Grand Marais, and the officers saw four people head for the woods. The driver was caught and charged with criminal damage to property, fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, possession of marijuana and reckless driving.

50 Years Ago
· Oc t. 29, 1959 • It must have been a cold swim for the big bull moose which waded into Lake Superior at the Sugar Loaf Landing last week and struck out for the Wisconsin shore!

Folks ashore could see his head and big horns bobbing in the chilly waters. It kept swimming away from the north shore as far as onlookers could see.

Could it reach the south shore or the Apostle Islands? There was doubt in most people’s minds. • Thecounty is building a new garbage pit to accommodate all of the summer home people and lodges on Hungry Jack Lake. Located a short distance from the old pit, this one will provide ample space for parking. • What could have been a serious fire Saturday morning was prevented by the prompt response of the village fire department and the U.S. Coast Guard, and others.

A tree had fallen over a power line on Fifth Street during the strong wind storm. When nearby residents saw smoke, they quickly put out a call for help.

Earlier that morning, a tree had fallen against their house but other than tearing down the guy wire of their antenna, it did no damage. Barbara, however, will be without her “swing tree.”

90 Years Ago ·
Oc t. 29, 1919 • Theroad graveling crew, in charge of William Smith, has been compelled to cease operation for the season on account of the cold weather. • There are several cases of smallpox in the village and a few houses have been quarantined. All of the cases have been very light, however, and with the proper precaution it is hoped the disease will not spread. • We had a sprinkle of snow and a snap of cold weather the first of the week, but judging from reports from other parts of the country we were not nearly as hard-hit as some of our neighboring towns. • A 17-year-old wireless operator on the scow “Limit” fell overboard last Thursday evening and was presumed drowned off Cascade. Thescow was loaded with gravel and was en route for Duluth.

Paul E. Perkins was last seen coming down the steps from the wireless room, apparently to get a drink of water from a cup at the rail, used in dipping water from the lake for drinking. It is supposed the scow gave a lurch, and he slipped and fell overboard.


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