This Day in Minnesota History

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Today's Date: May 6

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1834

Two Presbyterian missionaries from Connecticut, Samuel W. and Gideon H. Pond, arrive at Fort Snelling and soon begin working with the Dakota on the shores of Bde Maka Ska. The Pond brothers would develop a Dakota alphabet, publish a Dakota newspaper, and record many traditional Dakota practices during their years as missionaries.
1840

Soldiers expel Selkirker squatters from the Fort Snelling military reservation and burn their cabins. Although the Selkirkers had moved to escape the fort's boundaries the year before, a new survey showed that they remained within the military's jurisdiction. The settlers then relocate to the site that would become the city of St. Paul.
1865

A group of Cutlerites, a branch of the Mormon Church that had faced discrimination elsewhere, arrive at Clitherall Lake and lay the foundations for the first permanent settlement in Otter Tail County.
1896

Groundbreaking ceremonies are held for the third state capitol building, designed by Cass Gilbert.
1897

The New York Times prints an article headlined, “Named By the President: Stanford Newell of Minnesota Nominated for Minister to the Netherlands.” It goes on to report that “Mr. Newell, appointed Minister to the Netherlands, is one of the prominent Republicans of Minnesota. He has never held public office, but has been connected with the Republican State Committee, and during some of the most important campaigns was its Chairman. His appointment is due to the request of the Republicans of Minnesota, without regard to faction.”
1948

Mary Ann Courteau, who later became known as singer and songwriter Mary MacGregor, is born in St. Paul. In 1976 she recorded the pop song "Torn Between Two Lovers," which became a number-one hit the following year. She married Paul D. MacGregor on November 13, 1971, but they later divorced.
1965

Windstorms in northern Twin Cities suburbs, including those known collectively as the Fridley tornado, kill fourteen people and cause $57 million in damages.
From The Minnesota Book of Days (Minnesota Historical Society Press).

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