Roots & Riddles

Legacy Lane Genealogy

Unearthing forgotten chapters from Fillmore County, Minnesota, Roots and Riddles shares true tales that shaped the county—from vanished towns and courtroom mysteries to old letters and lost voices. Hosts Preston and Lenora dive into the stories your grandparents heard once… but never wrote down.

  1. Mishap or Malice? A Rushford Tragedy

    4D AGO

    Mishap or Malice? A Rushford Tragedy

    In September 1881, a quiet walk home along a rural road near Rushford, Minnesota, ended in tragedy. Nineteen-year-old Anna Martin was shot and killed under circumstances that immediately shocked her family, neighbors, and the wider community. Newspapers across southeastern Minnesota quickly filled with conflicting accounts—was it a terrible accident, a reckless act meant to frighten, or something more deliberate? As the case moved through the courts, public opinion shifted, legal definitions blurred, and a young boy stood at the center of a crime that raised difficult questions about intent, responsibility, and justice in the 19th century. In this episode of Roots & Riddles, we trace Anna Martin’s final moments, examine contemporary newspaper coverage, court testimony, and sentencing, and explore how this case was understood in its own time. More than a crime story, it’s a window into rural life, juvenile justice, and the way tragedy was reported—and remembered—in early Minnesota. Sources:– The Preston Republican, September 22, 1881– The Rushford Star, September–October 1881– St. Charles Union, October 26, 1881– Winona Republican, September 1881– Minnesota People Records Search (MNHS)– Minnesota Historical Society Newspaper Hub (newspapers.mnhs.org)

    13 min
  2. The Buffalo King of Spring Valley: A Statesman’s Rise

    JAN 28

    The Buffalo King of Spring Valley: A Statesman’s Rise

    From the rolling hills of Spring Valley, Minnesota, to the halls of political power, Thomas Frankson built a life as bold as the era he lived in. Known as both a statesman and private zoo keeper, Frankson carved out a reputation that blended frontier enterprise, public leadership, and spectacle. In this episode, we trace Frankson’s journey from rural roots and agricultural ambition to his rise in Minnesota politics — where newspaper headlines praised his oratory, his campaign energy, and his influence across Fillmore County and beyond. We explore his public appearances in Spring Valley and Lanesboro, his role in shaping state policy, and the remarkable legacy of his buffalo herd — a story that even connects to the history of Como Zoo. Through period newspaper accounts, historical essays, and archival sources, this episode unpacks the myth, the man, and the memory of one of Spring Valley’s most fascinating figures — revealing how leadership, legend, and local pride converged in a single life. Sources RCHS Summer 2010 — Bergerson (PDF) “The Wild Legacy of Thomas Frankson” Thomas Frankson — Wikipedia Minnesota Historical Society — Thomas Frankson Biography Thomas Frankson Newspaper Articles Transcription (MNHS archives)

    19 min
  3. The Woman Who Carried Lanesboro to America's Classrooms

    JAN 21

    The Woman Who Carried Lanesboro to America's Classrooms

    From Lanesboro to Washington, D.C., one woman helped shape the future of rural education in America. In this episode of Roots & Riddles, we trace the remarkable life of Katherine Cook, born in Lanesboro, Minnesota, who rose to become Chief of the Division of Rural Education for the U.S. Bureau of Education. At a time when rural schools were often overlooked, Katherine traveled the country—sometimes by small plane—studying school conditions, advocating for children in isolated communities, and pushing for better education for rural students, minority groups, and children with special needs. Though her work influenced classrooms nationwide, her story is rarely told today. We explore how a woman from a small river town helped guide national education policy, why her contributions mattered, and how Lanesboro quietly left its mark on America’s schools. This is a story of leadership, persistence, and a hometown legacy that reached far beyond southeastern Minnesota.

    18 min
  4. Stories from the Infamous Jordan Woods

    JAN 14

    Stories from the Infamous Jordan Woods

    Why did one stretch of woods gain such a dark reputation? In this episode of Roots & Riddles, we explore the infamous Jordan Woods—a place repeatedly named in historic newspaper crime reports across Fillmore County. Using original sources, we uncover what really happened, what may have been exaggerated, and how reputation alone can shape local history. A story of headlines, human behavior, and a place that became larger than life.

    11 min
  5. When Saber Tooth Cats Called Fillmore County Home

    JAN 7

    When Saber Tooth Cats Called Fillmore County Home

    What if Fillmore County once echoed with the footsteps of a saber-toothed tiger? In this episode of Roots & Riddles, we journey back to the Ice Age to explore evidence of ancient predators that once roamed Fillmore County, Minnesota. From caves and fossils to climate shifts and extinction, we uncover how these animals lived—and what traces they left behind. This is Minnesota history, long before history was written.

    13 min
  6. The Night the Bells Rang in Preston

    12/17/2025

    The Night the Bells Rang in Preston

    In this delightfully chaotic tale from 1878, Preston erupts into full crisis mode when a young boy wanders off and doesn’t return by nightfall. The church bell tolls, neighbors grab lanterns, and before long, half of Fillmore County is convinced the child has been kidnapped by a passing emigrant wagon. In true frontier fashion, a heavily armed posse charges off to “save the day”—only to discover the emigrants have thirteen children of their own and absolutely zero interest in adding another. This episode celebrates the humorous side of small-town history—a reminder that even dramatic prairie legends sometimes end with a giggle instead of a gasp. And a quick note: this is our final episode of 2025! Roots & Riddles will take a short holiday break and return with all-new stories in January. Sources The Preston Republican — Published April 25, 1878 Chatfield Democrat — Published May 4, 1878

    11 min
  7. The 1877 Earthquake

    12/10/2025

    The 1877 Earthquake

    In this episode of Roots & Riddles, Preston and Lenora revisit a startling chapter in Fillmore County’s past: the earthquake of 1877. Though Minnesota is far from the seismic hotspots of the nation, residents of Fillmore County felt the ground shift beneath them in a rare and unsettling event. Drawing from historical accounts, they explore how the tremor rippled through southeastern Minnesota, leaving communities both shaken and fascinated. What did people believe was happening at the time? How did newspapers and local storytellers capture the moment? And what does this unusual quake reveal about the hidden geology beneath the Midwest? Sources History of Fillmore County, 1912 Fillmore County Journal, September 1, 2025 College of Sciences and English Database.earth The Great Ceneral US Shakeout Chatfield Democrat, December 8, 1877 Preston Republican, November 22, 1877

    14 min
  8. Sears, Roebuck and Spring Valley

    12/03/2025

    Sears, Roebuck and Spring Valley

    In this episode of Roots & Riddles, Preston and Lenora trace the surprising local ties of Richard Sears — the man whose mail-order empire reshaped how Americans shopped. Long before catalogs and department stores, Sears was a boy in Fillmore County, surrounded by the rhythms of rural Minnesota life. This episode blends local history with national legacy, showing how Fillmore County’s landscapes and communities shaped the imagination of a future retail pioneer. Whether you’re a history buff or simply curious about the roots of everyday institutions, join Preston and Lenora as they uncover the Minnesota chapter of Richard Sears’ remarkable journey. Sources Western Progress, Aug 23, 1871 Harmony News, July 13, 1904 Preston Times, August 18, 1909

    13 min
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4.9
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Unearthing forgotten chapters from Fillmore County, Minnesota, Roots and Riddles shares true tales that shaped the county—from vanished towns and courtroom mysteries to old letters and lost voices. Hosts Preston and Lenora dive into the stories your grandparents heard once… but never wrote down.

Information

  • Creator
    Legacy Lane Genealogy
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Legacy Lane Genealogy
  • Show Website
    Roots & Riddles

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