Red Wing, May 20. Today was all that could be wished for the ceremony at the laying of the corner stone of the State Reform School building. Business houses and private dwellings were decorated in honor of the event. The different societies that took part in the parade gathered at 8:30 a. m. and marched to the depot and met Gov. W. R. Merriam and other guests of the occasion. The visitors were provided with carriages, and then the procession formed in the following order: Reform school band, Co. G., First regiment, M. N. G., carriages containing the governor, state officials, senators and representatives, members of the city council, board of water commissioners, cemetery commissioners, reception committee, etc., Red Wing cornet band, Scandinavian Benevolent society, A. O. U. W., Patriarchal Circle, citizens in carriages. L. A. Hancock was in charge of the procession as marshal, with Major A. H. Boxrud as assistant and two small boys on ponies as aids. The line of march was down Main to Bush, up Bush to Seventh, and down Seventh to the grounds, which are about two miles from the depot but in the city limits. The acting chairman for the occasion was Hon. R. A. Costello of Duluth, and his introductory remarks were in substance as follows: “We are assembled here to lay the corner-stone of one of our great institutions of the state of Minnesota. When I first heard of the location of the school in Red Wing, I felt somewhat that the judgment of those locating it there was at fault. But after looking over your city, its shaded and finely graded streets, I must confess that there is no place so suitable for the location of the school as Red Wing, unless perhaps it were Duluth. For the encouragement which you have given us by your splendid demonstration today, I assure you that we will in the future work with more zeal.” After the playing of a selection by the reform band Rev. J. W. Hancock offered prayer. Then ex-Gov. L. F. Hubbard was introduced and made an address of welcome, giving a cordial greeting on behalf of the citizens of Red Wing. Gov. Merriam was next introduced and just as he arose to speak some one proposed three cheers, which were heartily given. The governor spoke in response to Gen. Hubbard, saying: “I am sure I speak the sentiments of those from abroad when I express thanks for the greetings we have received here today. The location of the state reform school here marks another era in our advancement as a state. While not a new state institution, yet with its removal to Red Wing there will come new buildings situated on a beautiful site, easy of access to the great cities and within the limits of your own city. And I am glad that as long as the policy of spreading the state institutions around prevails, you have secured one of the best of them. You have and patiently waited for this day, and now the beginning of the end is near. I would neglect a pleasant duty if I did not say a kindly word for the board of managers of this institution. Some of them are new members, others are old. This commonwealth owes them a debt of gratitude which it can never repay.” After the rendering of a selection by the Company G Glee club, Dr. Reidelhaffer, of Redwood Falls, the former superintendent of the school, traced its history from its establishment. A selection was rendered by the Red Wing cornet band, after which Hon. D. L. Kiehle, state superintendent of instruction, spoke in place of ex-Senator McMillan, who could not be present. Archbishop Ireland spoke of the work to be done for and by the state. “This school,” he said, “will shed on the state and land a broad and far reaching influence. All whose hearts beat in sympathy rejoice in this forenoon’s exercises.” The laying of the cornerstone was done by C. H. Pettit, of Minneapolis, president of the board of managers of the school, and was preceded by a few remarks on the history and growth of the school and the plans for the future. In the stone were placed copies of the first and last reports of the school, copies of the daily papers, the names of all those who have served on the board of managers, copies of the acts governing the removal, statement of the number of inmates, the program of the day’s exercises and a collection of coins. The laying of the stone close the exercises at the grounds and the lines were reformed for the march to town and to the Casino, where a bounteous collation was in waiting. Afterwards the guests were driven about the city in carriages. (The Minneapolis Tribune, Wednesday, May 21, 1890, Page 1)
Bids were opened yesterday by the board of managers of the reform school, who met at the Merchants Hotel, for the construction of the superstructure for the girls’ ward and three boys’ cottages at the new grounds at Red Wing. There were six bidders: O. R. Mather, A. J. Hoban, Kilne Bros., Erick Lund, Simmons, Jameson & Co. and Foster & Smith. The highest bid was that of Hoban, of Minneapolis, whose bid for the four buildings was $130,805. Simmons, Jameson & Co., of Red Wing, were awarded the contract for the girls’ ward, at $37,524.38, and Erick Lund, of Minneapolis, gets the contract for the boys’ cottages at $53,500. (The Minneapolis Tribune, Saturday, September 6, 1890, Page 3)
The work on the buildings of the new reform school at Red Wing, Minn., will be resumed in a very short time, and in case the bills now pending in the legislature pass the school will undoubtedly be ready for occupancy by fall. (The Little Falls Transcript, Friday, April 24, 1891, Page 1)
Secretary Hart says that one of the new reform school buildings will probably be completed within 60 days. (The Minneapolis Tribune, Wednesday, June 10, 1891, Page 3)
About one hundred boys says a dispatch from Red Wing have come down from the reform school at St. Paul and have taken up quarters here. They will for the present be employed at work of various kinds about the new reform school building. (The Irish Standard, Minneapolis & St. Paul, Saturday, October 10, 1891, Page 8)