Defense of Doubt

History, is  the story of people, but many historical figures become defined by one event in their life. William T. Sherman never lived down that he was a loony; Nero that he fiddled while Rome burned; or on a positive side, Alexander Graham Bell is known as inventing the telephone. There exists few historical personalities defined by one event as is Thomas the Apostle. Thomas has been labeled “doubting Thomas.” Being named Thomas, I have an affinity for this apostle. I was born on what was then his recognized feast day, although the Church later changed his feast date to be July 3. My spouse would, however, say that the comparison between my name sake and I goes well beyond the name, and that we share certain character traits. Most of us should know the gospel reading to which I refer. What you may not know is that it is one of the few gospel readings that makes each of the three lectionary cycles in the Catholic Church for the second Sunday of Easter.  If you are Catholic, on the second Sunday of Easter you will hear about Thomas.  Let me examine in this "Defense of Doubt" why Thomas has been hung, in my opinion, with an unfair label.

First, let us note that Thomas was not present when Jesus appeared on that day after his resurrection. The disciples were locked in a room because they were afraid. If you see an empty tomb one reaction could be a grave robbery. They likely had reason to be afraid. Would not someone wish to question what is really going on? It is a simple human reaction to the moment. The group is huddled together in fright, not in joyous celebration of the risen Lord. They were having a human reaction to an event difficult to explain. Was there a question of faith on their part? Probably, for if they truly believed in the resurrection they would have faced life and its consequences and not hid in a room.  Most of them would face the consequences of being a Christian later in life.

Even if we consider it doubt, that word connotes a level of negativity. The reputation of Saint Thomas indicates a shamefulness to his comment he made to another disciple. Doubt and the ability to question is part of what makes one human. Just because one questions something, is not reason to hang such negative connotation to the event.  You are questioning what makes a person human.  One certainly knows that Peter should not cast a stone at Thomas for he had denied even knowing Christ in the early morning of Good Friday. In any event, it is not at all unusual for some of the most highly recognized saints to go through times of doubt on where is God, and his fit in their life. Two example can suffice. First is St. John of the Cross, who even coined the term “Dark Night of the Soul,” which is a title of work he had written. However, perhaps the best recognized modern day example to go through feelings of spiritual abandonment was Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, who we know today as Saint Teresa of Calcutta. Ten years after her death correspondence between her and her confessor was released detailing her spiritual heartache, her feelings of abandonment and her wonder of her calling. Persons of great faith, and charitable works have doubt. Maybe their doubt can intensify as their relationship with God deepens and evolves. Was it a lack of faith, a show of humanness, or a combination of the two that Mother Teresa had her own dark night of the soul for decades? Even Jesus showed a human side—think of his anger when he challenged the money makers in the temple, his snide comment to his Mom while preaching at a young age in his father’s house, and of course his words on the cross about being forsaken by God, his father. Although, as an aside, if Jesus felt that much pain, can you imagine the pain of his father? No parent would want to see their child put through that humiliation.

Yet, the strongest argument about not treating Thomas in a negative light is to me in the Gospel passage itself. The first part of the passage is most instructive:

On the evening of that first day of the week,
when the doors were locked, where the disciples were,
for fear of the Jews,
Jesus came and stood in their midst
and said to them, "Peace be with you."
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you.
As the Father has sent me, so I send you."
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
"Receive the Holy Spirit.
Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,
and whose sins you retain are retained."

 Most instructive is during Jesus’s greeting of “Peace be with you” is immediately followed by: “When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.” Therefore, as he was giving his greeting to the disciples Christ revealed to those gathered in the room the marks in his hands and in his side. They did not have to ask the question about seeing the marks, because Christ was right there revealing the wounds of his crucifixion. Although, they were probably too in awe with the whole scenario. Who would not be speechless at seeing a person risen from the dead? Thomas was obviously attending to other chores during the time of this encounter, as being the impetuous man that he is often considered, he would otherwise have made it a point to be with the other disciples. Thomas was left to have the other disciples tell him about their encounter with the Lord.

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve,
was not with them when Jesus came.
So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord."
But he said to them,
"Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands
and put my finger into the nailmarks
and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."

The easy way is to interpret this as doubt, but to me it is an expression of our human nature followed by one of the most dramatic proclamations of faith in the bible: “My Lord and my God.” If the other disciples had seen a man in the room who did not show the nail marks, I think one of them would have wondered if the proverbial wool was being pulled over their eyes and would have asked to see more proof, the nail marks being the clear indicator. Further, the focus should not be on the reticence expressed to the other disciples by Thomas when told of them seeing the risen Christ, but rather on his proclamation of faith.  He had faith because he touched the wounds, but if he was present on the day after the resurrection, he likely would have accepted Jesus as having risen, as he would have been shown the nail marks.

Now a week later his disciples were again inside
and Thomas was with them.
Jesus came, although the doors were locked,
and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you."
Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands,
and bring your hand and put it into my side,
and do not be unbelieving, but believe."
Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

Now, Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples
that are not written in this book.
But these are written that you may come to believe
that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,
and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

As a human doubt is part of our lives, but questioning should not be considered a negative it should be viewed as a means of growth, just as St. John of the Cross and Saint Teresa of Calcutta used their dark night of the soul to lead themselves to a greater connection to God.  It is easy for us to mock Thomas for not believing, because we here in the current century do not see Jesus in body on earth. It is faith that tells us to believe, and we do not know Jesus as a man as did Thomas and the other disciples. Yet, God is present on earth, in different manners and in different forms, we just need to be looking in the right places.  Although, I have this feeling that my wife will still say I share this character trait with my name sake.

Images from Google

Stay Warm

This week I came across a map in “Business Insider” which identified the chief international import of each state and the District of Columbia. Some statistics are counter to what one would think of a situation, and others reinforce a belief. Probably rare is the statistic that will accomplish both. Yet, that is what the 2015 import statistic for Wisconsin provided to me. This blog post will explain this odd situation, paradox if you will, and why it resonates.

 The United States is a vast highly developed country that uses more oil and natural gas than any other country in the world. We like the independence and privacy our cars and homes provide  In 2015 the United States used more oil than the next two countries (China and India) combined. In consumption of natural gas, the European Union and Russia combined used slightly more than the United States in 2015. Given the national dependence upon oil and natural gas, and that Wisconsin has no energy supplies, although plenty of frac sand, I thought the top international import for Wisconsin would be oil. Oil did not even make the list of the top 25 imports, which is by 2016 dollar value. The top import in in Wisconsin for 2015 was sweaters. Yes, you read that correctly—sweaters. But it only gets better, the top category is for sweaters of cotton or other natural fibers, the second top import was for sweaters made out of man-made material. The top two categories are for the same type of clothing. Sweaters is used as a general category which seems to also include pull-overs, which would also include sweatshirts. This post will primarily use the term on the map--sweaters.

2015 Top International Imports by State (2016$)
Source:  Business Insider

Of the 51 entities for which a statistic was made available in the map, Wisconsin was the only one to have what the industry calls a soft-good as its top import. This, it seems is rather telling, apparently Wisconsinites like their sweaters. They wish to be comfy. Either that or they don’t know what else to give as a Christmas gift. There is also the work-place favorite of wearing and ugly Christmas sweater, perhaps the state demographics favor purchase of Christmas sweaters, leaving ugly to the eye of the beholder. In some places an ugly sweater may be considered something fun to break up the long dark nights of the north. Wisconsinites also seem to favor natural materials over synthetic materials. The data is not clear about how they calculate when both natural and synthetic material is involved in the same sweater. One can certainly understand sweaters as an import, since clothing manufacturing has gone overseas mostly to Asia. Asian sweatshops produce they products to keep prices low for consumers. This top import reinforces consistent stereo-types of Wisconsin, the land of the frozen tundra. We all know Wisconsin is cold, but so too are other northern Midwestern states.

Cotton Sweater
Google images

Minnesota’s top import was crude oil.  Maybe they like their heat.  In any event Minnesota is probably partial to flannel.  Think lumberjack red and black plaid flannel.  Wisconsinites keep warm by using sweaters. I myself have several cotton sweaters that I wear to work, and sweatshirts that I wear at home. Wisconsinites love to drive, and heat their homes, but apparently not enough to warrant crude oil being such that it does even makes the list, which is the top 25 imports. Wisconsin oil could come from the United States, but why would that not be the case for Minnesota and Illinois? Minnesota is closer to the fields of Dakotas, and Illinois has some large refineries. Iowa’s top import is natural gas, even though they are closer to the natural gas fields of the west. Crude oil, was the top import for 13 states, and refined oil for three (Alaska, Maine, and New Hampshire). Wealth, in terms of employment and creation of value, comes not so much from the raw material as the processing of the material into useful items. For example, it may be dirty but processing of oil produces more jobs than simply having oil fields. Alaska exports crude (its 8th highest export) and then imports refined oil--from overseas. (Its other top ten exports items were either food, think fish, or other raw materials (zinc and lead). Lack of manufacturing can lead to a boom and bust economy.

Packer Sweatshirt
Google images

Showing where wealth is concentrated, the top import in New York is diamonds, the non-industrial variety. While a consumer good, diamonds are certainly more discretionary than keeping warm. In Florida, the top import is non-monetary gold, which would equate to jewelry (like diamonds, consumer discretionary), or I suppose with the high elderly population for use in fillings. Some state imports don’t make sense. For example, cattle is the chief import for Nebraska, and I know they have a good number of slaughter houses, but do they import cattle to butcher? Beef is the chief import in South Dakota and one wonders why they have a penchant for beef from overseas compared to that grown nearby in other plain states. Six states, including the non-surprising California, have cars as their chief import. Michigan, long the standard bearer for American car manufacturing also has cars as its chief import.

Purchases can tell us a great deal about a culture. Anthropologists study past cultures by reviewing items found in their dumps, grave sites, and in the detritus of past homes. Diamonds and gold may last a long time, if they can be found, but crude oil is depleted and its use leaves a carbon footprint behind for future generations. As for those sweaters and Green Bay Packer or Wisconsin sweatshirts so common to us Wisconsinites, they will wither away leaving this number one purchase to the wiles of the internet. Wisconsinites, I think they can take some sense of pride in having chosen comfortable clothing as their top purchase in 2015.  It is also possible that government employees had just recovered from the impact of Act 10 and decided to splurge--Wisconsin style--buy a new sweater or sweatshirt.  It certainly sets Wisconsin apart from other states. It is an anomaly.  Wisconsinites thus seem to be a practical people just wanting to stay warm.

Indignity

On Good Friday, the Christian world recognizes the crucifixion, and death of Jesus.  If that in itself is not cruel so too was the way Jesus was paraded through the streets of Jerusalem, out of town to the hill known as Calvary, which was also known as Golgatha (Place of the Skull) in the Aramaic language common to the locale and time.  Many people in the world today suffer from some type of indignity.  In some cases it is brought on by themselves, some it is misfortune, some by birth, and others through no fault of their own.  As all are created in the likeness and image of God, should not all persons be provided some level of dignity?  Small acts of kindness can help to counter the indignity felt by parts of the human population.

Author Photo, 2013

The very use of the term crucifixion, at least for a Christian, provides images of the Roman punishment rendered by Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor of Judea, to Jesus.  Biblical accounts tell us that being the time of a festival the governor was accustomed to the release of a prisoner, and the crowd yelled for Barabbas.  In one of the more pitiful statements of justification in history, Pilate noted that "I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves."  The distance between Pilate's palace and Calvary would be about 650 yards, up hill the whole way.  Tradition has it that the route he walked is today known as the Via Dolorosa, although several earthquakes, and ravages of man later the exact route is not fully known.  In some places the first century route is 20 or more feet below current grade.  Although, they have brought up pavement stones from the era to current grade as a tactical connection with early first century AD.  In any event Jesus, with the later help of Simon, was required to carry the cross beam of the cross, not the post, and this would have weighed about 100 pounds. Even before being required to carry the beam up hill, he was stripped and tortured.  I could recount what historians believe to be the manner of torture, but it is even too gruesome for me to account, much less my poor writing skills to accurately portray.  Having been in Jerusalem, let me simply say what the experienced and educated guide described was enough to wonder how a man was still alive much less able to climb the hill to the place of the skull.

Recognized route of Jesus on Good Friday
Source:  Google images

The Romans were masterful politicians, and in an age before photography or videos, the horrendous humiliation placed on a person in public was a simple matter of deterrence.  Upon reaching the hill, Christ was then nailed to the cross, most likely either in the hands, in which case rope was also used to tie the arms to the cross beam, or perhaps into the forearm, between the two bones.  Historical accounts seem to recognize both methods being used in the early part of the first century.  What the accounts do not say is also trying to souls.  Imagine a warm spring day in Jerusalem, about 2000 years ago.  You have been subjected to all levels of humiliation, perhaps the worst when your own disciple disowned you at the crow of the rooster.  Is the worst is yet to come.  You are dripping with sweat and blood, your back sore not only from the beating, but from carrying a 100 pound piece of wood.  You now have nails pounded into your hands and feet, with the cross set up for all to see on one of the high points of surrounding the city.  You find it hard to breathe.  Then would come the  ridicule.  It was from guards, bystanders, and even one of the thieves to the side.  Then there was the insult placed atop the cross, mocking the claim of being a king.  They never really understood that the metaphor.

Cross section of Church of Holy Sepulcher with 1st century AD ground elevation
Source:  Google Images

The causes of death from crucifixion vary, but most common is asphyxiation. A crucified person cannot properly hold their body up right gravity works against them. and they slowly see the body compress as their arms stretch.  (which is why they break the legs of those who may not have died.) As all this is occurring imagine flies, gnats and assorted other insects gathering around your head, and open wounds, a natural reaction is to swat, but of course your hands are nailed.  Birds and/or buzzards fly above waiting for the moment to pounce.  It must have been excruciating.  And we think mosquitoes are bad.  There would also be the smell of death, and decay.  Down the hill, to the opposite side of the path, there was likely the human detritus of past crucifixions.  Thus, was the world of torture in the time of the Roman Empire circa 30 AD.

Plaque marking early AD paving stones near Holy Sepulcher
author photo

Five of the fourteen stations of the cross, as recognized by the Catholic Church, occurred within what are now the walls of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and another likely just outside its walls.  The condition of the current church of the Holy Sepulcher structure does not belie the reason for its existence.  During my visit the church was as dark and dreary as the clouds which covered Jerusalem for three hours that one afternoon so long ago.  It also is of course, in keeping with its age.  It was first built by the mother of the Emperor Constantine in 333 AD, before being destroyed in 1009 by a Muslim Caliphate, and rebuilt during the Crusades in 1048.  It is not the age or really the condition of the church which matters, however.  To people of faith it is  what is contained within its walls, most in particular the rock grotto which is the grave owned by Joseph of Arimathea, but would come to contain for a few days the mangled body of Jesus Christ.  In an twist of ironic coincidence, or "Godincidence" (a termed coined by my wife), the grave site was in the slope next to Calvary.   One within sight of the other. Probably within a couple hundred feet by line.  Did Jesus as he was dying see the place where in three days he would  rise again?  Christ lost his dignity that day, but regained it in a much more glorious manner than any before, or since.  Christ began the week with a triumphant ride into Jerusalem, and by Friday, was met with varied indignities incorporating a wide range of options.

Door to Church
Author photo

Today persons are still subjected to indignity of various types. Keeping his word on moving the world to recognize those in the peripheries, Pope Francis is doing his share to provide dignity to those to which the word is just a concept..  He is pushing the developed world to better recognize the plight of the third world, the refugees, the homeless, and the poor.  This, even if the reason for their situation may be of their own making, their own human frailty.  Does human frailty provide an excuse for their treatment and the way society tends to shove them aside?   Pope Francis does not think so.  He recently commented that one should help a beggar without regard for how the money may be spent.  Yet, in do doing may we perhaps be enabling a beggar or homeless person in a drug habit?  Obviously the Pope does not think so, as the person having a decision in itself provides some dignity.  He also likely hopes that mercy and charity freely given helps us as much as it may help the recipient.

Stone relocated above first century grade, said to have been
touched by Christ as he carried his cross
Jerusalem, Author photo

What, you may ask does an old man wearing a white cassock really know about the poor, and homeless?   Beyond the fact that as Archbishop of Buenos Arias he ministered among the poorest of the poor in the flavalas of Buenos Aires.  In addition, Pope Francis and his chief almoner have already welcomed refugees into the Vatican, they have already set up lodging for the homeless, and they have already provided showers within the walls of the small Vatican city-state..  Personal services are offered as well--haircuts for example.  Yet, this week they did more.  Perhaps it was fitting that during this Holy Week their next service was to open a free laundromat near St. Peter's Basilica.  St Peter's is one of the most recognized structures in the world, and named for the man who betrayed Jesus.  But, it is now a recognizable sign of mercy to the homeless of Rome.

Laundromat in Rome opened by the Almoner of Pope Francis
Source:  CNN

To us laundry is mundane chore, but to the homeless it probably poses challenges.  The laundromat, with six clothes washing machines and dryers is also due to the generosity of two American Companies.  The machines have been donated by Whirlpool and the detergent and softening agents are being provided by Proctor and Gamble.  The money for the building remodeling, the sleeping bags, and other largess shown by the Vatican comes from donations, but mainly from the sale of papal blessings.  The cost of a papal blessing is rather minimal, about $20 to $25 plus postage (and you don't pay until it is received).  But, these small contributions total up.  As Catholicism continues its steep decline in the developed world, the blessings will fall to those of a third or developing world who can least afford them, and then in the long run the papal almoner will have less funds to distribute to those in need.  If you desire you can order a papal blessing for certain occasions by clicking here.  Or, if you so desire you can donate to the papal charities by clicking here.  One can also support a charity in your own locale that provides services to the homeless, or the poor.  In Dane County, Catholic Charities was chosen to run the county homeless shelter in downtown Madison.

Church of Holy Sepulcher
Author photo

As Jesus was dying on the cross 2000 years ago he was treated in the most humiliating manner, and died through one of the most hideous of means; a way that today is only copied by barbarians of ISIS. But, that does not mean that what we consider our highly civilized society above humiliating others.  On this Good Friday, we could recall many of the memorable phrases mentioned by Christ.  But, let me leave you with one:  "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it me." (Matthew 25:40)

Art work in need of Restoration in the
Church of the Holy Sepulcher
Author photo

Millennials of Minneapolis

For the past few years my wife and I have made a trip to the Minneapolis area. The main purpose is to see our son and his girlfriend, and we often pick from suggestions they offer.  I am often bemused by what I see and discover in the world that is Minneapolis. A 2014 post was about the diversity of uses in one Minneapolis neighborhood.  Each locale presents a unique opportunity, but large metro areas often present variety of activities. My wife and I being baby boomers will see things differently than our children. But, that is what helps make life and experiences amusing and memorable. Minneapolis, according to "Forbes" is tied with San Diego for number 8 on the list of best cities for millennials and generation Z (now often referred to as the I generation). If one looks at the population pyramid for Hennepin County, which contains Minneapolis, it has a large number of persons in the millennial age cohorts. Of course, that can be expected because Millennials are the largest population group in the nation mostly due to the mortality of us Baby Boomers. This post will examine what I see occurring with the Millennials from my visit to Minneapolis.

Minnehaha Falls

Research opinions seem to differ, but there is much information to say that millennials prefer city life. That is certainly visible in Minneapolis, and in Madison, WI as gentrification is occurring in neighborhoods. It is a situation not unique to those two cities.  However, others say that this generation is at the point in their life where they will live in a city (given their age), but will be like other demographic groups and move to the suburbs as children start to arrive.  The cohort is likely so large that they will be able to influence housing in both suburbs and cities.  However, Millennials are, as a whole, delaying marriage, more likely to engage in cohabitation, and delay in having children. This means they may stay in the city longer than generations earlier who had children at an earlier age. In any event a number of the generation also seem to be sucking up the single family housing supply in such cities.  Not everyone desires a large suburban house.  The large apartment construction boom of the past several years has been to meet the demand of housing for the young millennials, just like a large apartment boom occurred over in the 1970's to meet the baby boomers.

Fireworks over St Anthony Falls

 The renewed interest in urban America is a good thing. After all there is substantial public investment already in place with streets, utilities, and mass transportation. Taking advantage of such infrastructure only makes sense.  And for those interested in a low carbon footprint, city living produces a more reduced carbon footprint than country living.  With the back-to-the-city move, corporations have taken notice. In August 2016 "The New York Times" had an article on how for decades corporate America created sprawling campuses in the sprawling suburbs. Cities are once again more attractive to corporations, since they are not the cesspool they were often viewed to be in the 1960’s and 1970’s. But, this new move also has to do with the corporate structure where there is often more decentralization, and/or smaller work forces. The corporate office may be downtown, but the communication advances now present allow more specialized functions to be handled in different locations. Although not all are in this vein.  Epic Corporation built its massive sprawling campus at the west edge of Verona, WI, about a generation ago. Yet, as of February of this year its main bulk of workers lived in downtown Madison. Epic funds a bus service from downtown Madison to its vast suburban sprawled campus. My Millennial son does a reverse commute to the corporate campus of his employer in Richfield, MN.  That employer is located along that most suburban enhancing of highways, Interstate 494. As corporations moved to the suburbs reverse commutes have become common, providing more challenges to traffic planners.  The odd thing about the Twin Cities is that while it is 16th largest Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) in the nation, Minneapolis is the 46th largest city.  Combine St Paul with Minneapolis and the population would be slightly larger than Milwaukee.  By comparison, Milwaukee ranks 31st as a city, and 39th in population of the SMSA.  (Of course, with Lake Michigan, the population surrounding Milwaukee has half and available land are to develop.)

McNeely Conservatory, St. Paul

But, the Millennials are in Minneapolis in part because Minneapolis is currently the economic engine for the Midwest. If we define the Midwest as the seven states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Iowa, and Indiana, then in terms of population growth from 2012 to 2016, Minnesota was middling, ranked 25th in the nation, but it ranked the highest of all of these seven states. Its growth was just over four percent, with the next state, Iowa ranked 29th coming in at 2.9%.  (WI ranked 38th.)  What makes Minneapolis attractive to Millennials? If you look at one news take on the "Forbes" article it is two main things: snacks and salaries. According to that news account in the "Minneapolis Star Tribune": “Millennials want to be paid well for their work and they want to be fed snacks while doing it. Turns out that Minneapolis companies score high in both of those categories and then some.” Millennials who were said to be coddled by helicopter parents and where all got a gold sticker and trophy, apparently need snack food.   If the locations we have visited with my son are any indication, it is not just snack food that attracts Millennials.

US Bank Stadium

A few examples can suffice. Two years ago we went on an excursion on a warm sunny summer day to Fulton Brewery across the street from where the Minnesota Twins play. They were also, at the time, building a new brewery. We then headed north to Dangerous Man brewery, in northeast Minneapolis, which a co-worker claims is the hip of hip areas in Minneapolis, because that is the area in which a former co-worker new resides  Both places were packed, and I mean packed, but with mainly young people—that is Millennials. Last year in late March we visited Surly Brewery, and again that place was packed.  Its beer hall tables left no place to sit.  This past weekend, we visited Tattersall Distillery, which was crowded but not packed, and I commented to my spouse on our entrance that we increased the average age in the room by fifteen years. Do you see a trend? (I wonder why so many were indoors on such a nice hot day in Minneapolis.)  At work this past Tuesday, I was surprised to hear that another co-worker had also been in Minneapolis last weekend, just as were we, but attended Whiskey On Ice (and yes, the web sites have the O in “On” as uppercase) at the Depot in downtown Minneapolis. The co-worker is a Millennial himself, although at the upper end of that cohort. Do you see a trend?  Alcohol. And it is not the common brand stuff of which I grew up drinking years ago—Pabst, Miller, and of course, Old Style. Back in my day if we wanted a good beer, it was Special Export, or perhaps a Point Special. Millennials are helping to drive the craft breweries and distilleries. However, some argue that Baby Boomers started the movement since they have cut down on how much they drink (which creates the ever present beer belly) in the past, they want higher quality beverages—and craft beverage makers responded to that demographic and taste shift. In this scenario, the younger generations benefits from the changes brought on by the Boomer crowd. The drinking aspect of this age group is not lost on my wife.

Tattersall Distillery

My wife also noted the importance of food. The popular Italian deli, Cossettas in St Paul, had long lines winding through the building when we visited Saturday night. While completing our hike at Minnehaha Falls Saturday morning, the restaurant in the shelter was not open, and by the time we completed our hike the patio was full and lines were present. This at about 11:00 am in the morning. It only seems natural that if the Millennials of Minneapolis desire snacks at work they also want good food. Yet, I see more than a food connection.  This last September the bird killing US Bank Stadium with is massive glass and metal structure opened in downtown, on the site of the former Metrodome. Yes, they beat the Packers in the second week of the NFL season.  It is at the end of the conclusion of two decades of new stadium construction/remodeling in the NFL. Lambeau field has been remodeled and expanded several times in the past 15 years, but the major 2002 remodeling followed the then neo-traditional craze of stadium construction, as did Miller Park. The neo-traditional craze began with the construction of Camden Yards for the Orioles in Baltimore. The sharp angles and modern design of the stadium, however, would well seem to fit the image of a city attracting Millennials. Glass and metal are often referred to as “techie.” What better group to find tech attractive than Millennials and the following I-generation? You know Millennials have come of age when there are television shows that pick on them; I think of the show called The Great Indoors. Its stereotyping of Millennials is funny.  A recent episode of NCIS had the agent cell phones hacked, and two young special agents were flummoxed as to how to get to a location without use of their cellphones.  Boomer boss, Gibbs, suggested use of a map. Yes, one can depend too much on a device.

Fulton Brewery

Like most humans Millennials gravitate to their own group. They wish to be working in an area where other Millennials are working, according to the "Star Tribune."  This does not bode well for communities that have low population cohorts of that group—think rural areas. Communities need young persons to help them survive.  Like most humans, it seems this younger generation wants it both ways. They want high salaries, (measured by mean income) as noted in the "Star Tribune", but the same article also commented that they want a job without stress. To me it seems somewhat of a paradox.  Is the use of alcohol by Millennials a means to offset job stress?   If so, they are not the first generation to find that helpful. The saying when one gets home from work “I need a drink” has been around a long, long time. Heck, I have even heard my wife say it once, just once.  Of course, if the stress is low are they drinking because they find it enjoyable?  A novel reason why to drink.  They also wish to gravitate to jobs that produce high levels of job satisfaction. That can be a good thing, but someone has to do the dirty work.

Surly Brewery

However, I think when people stereotype Millennials they mainly reference those that are college educated. A November 2014 NPR report noted that about two-thirds of Millennials lack a bachelor’s degree. The article went on to note that Millennials with a college diploma, at that time, earned $17,500 more a year than those without a college degree. Additionally, at that time, the report noted, 88 percent of minimum wage workers were 20 years or older, and of those 4 in 10 (40%) were college graduates. So, even a college degree was not a guarantee of a well-paying job for that age group. Even worse, the unemployment rate for Millennials without a college degree (aged 25-32) was over 12%, with 22% of that cohort below the poverty line.

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

In the end, when persons talk of the Millennials the traits may not hold true to all in the demographic group. I would find it hard to believe that a Millennial earning minimum wage is getting a drink of spirits from Tattersall Distillery at $9.00 a drink. More likely, they bought a quart or pint off the bottom shelf. As for beer, it is not is also more likely a Bud Light, over a can from Surly Brewery.  With drinks at that price, I can see why they delay having children.

James Hill House, St Paul

To be fair to our son he also had sightseeing at many locations that his age cohort would probably consider old person stuff.  We walked the Landscape Arboretum, the McNeely Conservatory, the James Hill House, and the Minneapolis Institute of Art.  The hike of Minnehaha falls area, fireworks on a summer evening at St. Antony Falls, and Como Zoo were something both age groups could enjoy.  And of course, just because we increased the average age by 15 years in a distillery, does not mean we did not enjoy our drinks.  I also have to say I enjoyed the tour of Surly, and Fulton, and well appreciated Fulton's Farmer's Ale--and at 11% alcohol who wouldn't.   As for the US Bank Stadium, I am sure many a boomer is attracted to the Vikings.  But, showing the draw of the Packers, I talked to a man at Tattersall (of course a Millennial) who has a dog named Lambeau.  He is a Packer fan, lives in Minneapolis, but was born in Albuquerque, NM.  His father hailed from Chippewa Falls, WI.  What makes for an enjoyable time is being able to observe and learn, marvel at the wonders of nature, but also be amused at people, the things we do and things we create. Travels to even a not so distant land, even if it is Minnesota, can be a learning experience.  Oh, and we had time to visit with our son, too.

Photos by author, varied dates between 2014 and 2017

Double Tragedy

It was an early spring night in Minneapolis, Minnesota, but with the cold, damp air which settled over this northern city, combined with the hour, one should just as well have been in bed.  Yet, 110 years ago on this day, there was a lonely near fifty-year old man walking by the corner of Twentieth Avenue N and Washington Avenue.  It was about one hour and ten minutes before the stroke of midnight.  The next day would be Easter Sunday, the most holy of days on the Christian calendar.   But, neither the risen Christ, or he Easter Bunny were on the man's mind.  As he walked past the corner he came upon Minneapolis patrolman G.A. Larsen.  The forty-nine year old man, who was of medium build and height for his time, told the officer that he was going “to leave the booze alone” and "in time", he said, “Hoped to make up with my family.”  As the man continued on his journey Officer Larsen suggested that he “keep away from the hotel.”  This was an era when patrolmen had the same beat, and would come to know the trials, sorrows and joys of daily life of neighborhood residents they served.  The forty-nine year old man, even though he had been in Minneapolis only for a few years, was well known, suggesting a gregarious and outgoing personality.  Larsen, as we will see, had good measure to suggest he not make his way to the hotel.  The hotel in question was located in Minneapolis at 1914 Washington Avenue N, and the man’s wife operated and lived at the hotel with two of their three children.

1914 Washington Ave N,
Google maps street view

The man himself had once lived in the hotel, but had been ordered out by his wife several months earlier, probably in the later part of 1906.  After having been kicked out of the hotel he resided at 319 Washington Ave. N.  The 1906 Minneapolis City Directory lists him as living at the hotel, but having an occupation as a porter at 228 20th Avenue N.  Earlier in the month of March 1907 he had been sentenced, at the behest of his wife, to the work house for ten days due to drunk and disorderly conduct.  After intervention by friends, he was released in four days.  

Joseph Havel farm was in section 34, shown in this map as owned
by Albert Laraway.  John Hovel farm is in section 33 in this map owned by JF Holden
Union Township, Worth County, IA
1913 plat map, University of Iowa collection

The man continued his journey, and a few minutes after his brief encounter with Officer Larsen, he came upon Sargent Martin Ginsburg.  He relayed to Sgt. Ginsburg the same story he had told Larsen.  Ginsburg told him to avoid trouble and to also stay away from the hotel.  He would not heed the warnings.  Within two minutes Ginsburg, as reported would hear four shots, which he said were fired in rapid succession.  Ginsburg, immediately thinking the man to whom he had talked two minutes earlier was involved, rushed to the hotel at 1914 Washington Avenue N.  Meanwhile, a patron of the hotel saw a young lady coming down the stairs with a gunshot wound to her cheek, and she quickly relayed what she knew.  The patron, Mr. Harrison, left the building to find the police.  Mr. Harrison appears to have left by the back door, and I suppose it possible that Sgt. Ginsburg was heading for the front door.  The young lady with a gunshot wound was the daughter of the man who made his way to the hotel.   The story the young lady, only two weeks and a day shy of her seventeenth birthday, would bare to Sargent Ginsburg was of a double tragedy.  Her story would recount a deplorable act, and probably the most heinous in family history, certainly in its known history.  For you see, the young lady who met Sgt. Ginsburg, was Rose Havel, the daughter of Joseph Havel.  Joseph was my great grand uncle, a younger brother to my great grandfather.

Joseph Havel Baptismal Record (second entry)
digi.ceskearchivy.cz

Earlier that night after having passed Sargent Ginsburg, Joseph went to the hotel.  When he entered the building, Joseph saw Rose with his wife  (her mother) Otillia, who had recently filed for divorce, in the parlor of the building.  Accounts in the Minneapolis and area newspapers vary, one account has them talking in the parlor before the two women went to bed; another account has Joseph upon entering the parlor pulling a gun saying to his spouse, “You are going to die now.”  Rose and her mother were both shot in the bedroom.  The first account saying he re-entered the bedroom as they fell asleep, while the other account has his wife running from him into the bedroom, where he shot her and then the daughter as she entered.  The details in news accounts vary, but the end result is the same.  He shot his wife twice in the head, and turned and shot his daughter (which the first account has her waking up at the initial gun shots).  Before seeing the result of his actions, the man turned the gun on himself.  It is said he died five minutes later.  It was reported that Otillia died immediately.  The daughter, Rose, was so distraught that, even though the wound was reported to be superficial she required attention through the night.  The “Minneapolis Journal,” in its report on the event states that as of its printing she was still under care of a physician, and had not yet been told of the death of her parents.  It was a hotel of horror that week.  The prior night, a man named John Wing committed suicide by gas inhalation.  Earlier that winter two other men were killed by gas poisoning.

London, MN Lower right corner in section 25
Freeborn County genweb site

What poisoned Josef to the level that he would commit such an act?  A common thread appears to be alcohol, showing one reason why prohibition would come to the United States in 13 years’ time.  The Star Tribune article sub-head line, reads: "Habitual Drunkenness Given as Cause of Original Trouble in Family."  Another Minneapolis paper, published on March 31, 1907, refers to it as an “old, old story of a hardworking wife who kept the family together and of a spendthrift husband who hindered and nagged her at every turn.” Apparently, drunkenness, or at least such behavior, was not uncommon at the time, if it was an “old, old story.”  Joseph was referred to in that paper as “mentally deranged by excessive dissipation.”  According to the article he had previously twice threatened to kill his wife.  A different news article relates that his wife never thought much of the threats, and never reported them to authorities.

1908 Minneapolis City Directory
Familysearch.org

Joseph’s wife had filed for divorce due to his heavy drinking.  One article has them having married 21 years earlier.  Tillie was born in 1868, the youngest of six children of John and Josephine Popp.  The John Popp family had farmed in Dodge County, Wisconsin, just north of Jefferson County, as reported in the 1860 and 1870 census records.  Census records also indicate that John Popp and his spouse Josephine Stimper were both born in Bohemia, so the family connection may go back to the old country, although at this point no clear evidence exists.  As of 1885 Otillia, is reported in the census as age 18, and was living with her parents, John and Josephine Popp, along with several siblings and a sister-in-law on the Popp family farm in Rock Township, Mitchell County, Iowa.  The sister-in-law, happened to be Joseph’s younger sister Catherine Hovel, who married Emil Henry Popp in July 1864.  Yet the family connection may have been even deeper.  Family lore suggests that Otillia’s older sister Mary was married to John Hovel, Josef’s oldest brother. Mary is thought to have died in child birth.   In 1885, Joseph, who was born in 1857, cannot be found in a state census, but the Wisconsin census of that year only lists head of household, and given descriptions of gender and place of birth, I think he was living on the former Josef Havel (his father and mother’s home farm) farm east of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, with his sister and her husband.  The farm was now operated by Joseph’s sister, Rose and her husband George Kachel.  Otillia and Joseph were listed as being married 13 years in the 1900 census and that figure generally corresponds to the marriage noted in the newspaper.

1885 Iowa Census  (if readable, see lines 10-15)
Ancestry.com

Joseph and Otillia would have three children--two boys and a girl.  The oldest child, Joseph Frank (aka Frank Joseph), was born in August 1889; Rose in April 1891 and Rufus John in June 1896.  In 1895, they are reported as farming in Union township, next door to Joseph’s sister Annie Fitzl and her husband Jacob.  Nearby, less than a quarter mile as the crow flies, is the farm originally founded by his brother John.  By 1900, however, Joseph and Otillia have sold their farm and are living in Falls Township, Cerro Gordo County, near Plymouth.  Joseph’s occupation is not highly readable in the record, but appears to say "general" with an unknown word following.  Falls Township is just south of Union Township, Worth County.  At this time, they were still close to family. In the town of Falls they owned a house with a mortgage.  Before moving to Minneapolis, they would take residence in the the crossroads community of London, MN, not far north of the Iowa border.  Perhaps they wished a new start.

News article  7 Oct 1904
Albert Lea Freeborn newspaper

What can be pieced together is a pattern of discontent.  Was it an unceasing energy, or was it his desire for fortune?  Perhaps it was his consumption of alcohol.  Maybe it was a combination of all three, but after selling the farm, Joseph would go from one business to the next.  Combined with hard drinking it was likely a recipe for the horrendous outcome on this day 110 years ago.  It appears that the farm was likely sold by 1897, as a JD Havel was accused of operating an eatery on a Sunday.  In that same year, he was also charged with possessing liquor with intent to sell.  The police dumped a few kegs of beer.  You can tell it was not Wisconsin, as I doubt any good Wisconsinite would waste beer.   Not unlike Joseph being at the forefront of farming in Worth County, a newspaper in Albert Lea, MN, reports that he was on the forefront of business activity in the small community of London, near Albert Lea, Minnesota.

Joseph Havel death certificate
Minnesota Historical Society archives

In that small community he opened a general store in April 1902.  Area newspapers report him having made trips to Albert Lea, and Chicago prior to opening day to obtain provisions for the general store. The family probably moved to Minnesota in or before late 1901.  In December 1901 he been convicted in Freeborn County, MN of selling liquor without a license.  More interestingly, he was accused of running a “blind pig” operation, which is like a speakeasy.  Charges in the blind pig operation, for he and his supplier, were dismissed when one of the alleged bottles of alcohol was opened in court and turned out to be ginger ale. (A prosecution precursor to if the "glove doesn't fit, you must acquit" made famous from the OJ Simpson trial.)  In August 1902 he and his wife were said to have entertained guests at their home.  All must have seemed well in the J. D. Havel household, at least for that one day.  An advertisement for his general store, on Christmas Eve 1902, indicates it has a “hotel and boarding house in connection.” This would show the occupation taken by his wife in Minneapolis at 1914 Washington Ave. N.   He also sold farm machinery.  He had an “up to date millinery” and reportedly had the only one in the small burg of London, MN.  The idea of the millinery in this small burg of London reminds me of the scene in "Field of Dreams" where the doctor in the small Minnesota town bought hats for his wife.  We do know he was recognized for selling “the ‘1900 Washer’” which would “wash the clothes in 6 minutes.” The 1900 Company would later become Whirlpool.   Otillia and Rufus would travel to Mitchell County Iowa for several days in February 1903 to visit relatives.  Showing a level of discontent, by July 1903 Joseph is already thinking of selling his store, reportedly, in order to move to town so his children can attend better schools.  While his wife went to Myrtle, MN to visit relatives (which relatives lived in Myrtle, I do not know), Joseph made a trip to North Dakota in regard to selling his store.   It would take a year, but in August 17, 1904 one Albert Lea newspaper reported in its London news “J.D. Havel, who has been one of the most ablest business men since the town was platted has sold his effects here.”  The article goes on to say that “Mr. Havel is yet undecided what he will do.  He has our best wishes for success in whatever line of business he may engage in.”

Newspaper ad
24 December 1902 Albert Lea Enterprise

The first outward sign of discontent in the family is a small easy to miss snippet in the Albert Lea Freeborn newspaper of October 7, 1904, it read: “Mrs. Havel and her children took the train for Minneapolis Saturday morning where they will reside for the present.”  One assumes that Joseph is remaining for the time being in London. But, he did not long remain in London, MN.  The 1905 Minneapolis City Directory lists Joseph as residing at 1914 Washington Ave. N, and employed as what appears to be a cleaner.  In 1906 he is listed as a porter at 228 20th Ave N, but still residing at 1914 Washington Ave N.  Rose is listed at the same address as an apprentice for both years.  In 1907 Rose is listed as a stenographer, but for Joseph a simple entry in that year’s directory tells his fate:  “Joseph died Mar 30 ’07 age 50.”   My writing skills cannot compare to the elegant early 20th century prose, and below I quote an article in the April 11, 1907 edition of the “Worth County Index” in its entirety:

Our neighborhood was widely shocked upon hearing of the death and untimely end of our old neighbor, Joseph D. Havel and wife in Minneapolis, a week ago Saturday.  The details are too heart-rending to record, but we cannot let the matter go past without a word to two:  Joe and his wife were once owners of the fine farm on which A. Laraway now resides, and improved the place up to the number-one mark.  Joe worked hard and his good wife did her share of the grubbing faithfully and well.  Prosperity seemed to be something Joe couldn’t stand and he left the farm to indulge in various pursuits.  He finally lost all he had and drifted from bad to worse until the care and support of the family fell entirely to the already hard lot of the little mother.  When goaded beyond the limit of human endurance she applied to the courts for relief in the way of divorce, but before the case came before the courts Joe took matters in his own hands and shot his faithful wife and then himself, besides attempting to take the life of his 16-year old daughter.  Sorrowing relatives brought the bodies home to Mitchell County where they were laid to rest in one grave.  Three children were left orphans to face the cold world and its trials:  Joseph aged 19 years who serves in the U.S. navy.  Rosa, aged 16, a young school girl, and Rufus aged 11.  Mrs. Langschadl of Plymouth who was bereaved by the loss of her own children years ago, has been a ministering angel in this sad chapter in life’s history. 

Otillia Havel death certificate
Minnesota Historical Society archives

It is, indeed, a sad chapter in life’s history.  I have not located a grave in an Iowa grave site database.  Perhaps the grave is unmarked. Today,  1914 Washington Avenue N is near the intersection of Broadway Avenue and is just over a mile, as the crow flies, north of Target Field.  It is also next to Interstate 94, where over 100,0000 vehicles per day pass by the location of the murder.   I myself have driven that route several times, but likely never noticed the old three story building that appears to be before the turn of the century.  Ironically, today a liquor store sits next door to the to the address of the crime.  For some things, perhaps anonymity is best.  For Joseph Havel, the level of discontent he experienced is not necessarily bad; discontent can lead to great things, but one’s energy has to be properly channeled.  Lacking the proper channel, discontent has a terrible downside.  The difference between the two is a fine line.  It was for Joseph D. Havel.  Unfortunately, violence of this type is still present.

1900 Washer, Google images

Hard work which led to success on the farm was not found in Joseph’s other ventures.  One wonders if the lack of success was related more to desire for the drink, than his business acumen.  Did the drinking follow the lack of success or did the drinking lead to lack of success?  Although, his venture in London, MN seems to have met with some success, so was he creating and flipping business operations in an attempt to make a profit?   His level of discontent after leaving the farm is apparent.  We know that farm life in that era was difficult and demanding, but the Worth County Index reports him having “improved the place to a number-one mark.”  In selling his farm and starting varied business operations he never found contentment.  Instead, the cruel hand of fate would intervene, and he would bring the life of his spouse and his own to an end in a terrible manner.  The answer to the actual cause of this sad chapter lies in the vapor of history.  A series of sad, unfortunate events turned into, what new accounts termend "a double tragedy."


Author's note:  While it was a difficult story to write, and perhaps for the reader to read, I struggled more with whether or not to tell the story.  Would anonymity have been best?

Razor Blades

There is a saying that if you have a technical problem with one of the many electronic devices in a household, call a fourteen year old.  Young people have grown up with the devices, their software and other aspects that some older persons can find daunting.  A fourteen year old is part of what is called the I-generation, named for the I-phone, and I-pad commonly found among children.  This generation would be about 21 years of age and younger.  As for me, I am fine with my trac-phone. Each generation brings a different set of abilities.  While I could go on with varied stories, one story recently relayed to me by a co-worker, who is a millennial, regarding razor blades shows a difference.

This co-worker's father, who is in his early 70's is a truck driver, and can easily back up a large semi-trailer into many a tight corner or space.  A week or so ago co-worker told me the story of how her dad went to Wal-Mart to find blades for his razor, and was unable to find any.  He then went to Target, and was unable to find any at that mega-store either.  He did make an inquiry of someone at Target who provided a product number, and suggested he order them at Target.com.  Not having the Internet, he called his youngest daughter, my co-worker. "Did you know you can go to Target.com, he said "and order something and have it delivered to your door?"  She thought it was kinda of cute, and did not have the heart to tell him how often she has ordered from Target.com,  He continued, just like an Internet expert, saying, "Now go to Target.com and enter this number in the search area...." So, she placed the order and told him she would keep him abreast of the delivery date.  She also told me about her Dad's trepidation of having a package delivered to his home.  He lives in a rural area in Polk County, WI, with few neighbors near his farm.  To deal with his trepidation, she told me that he had put a small cooler on the porch and hoped the delivery person would get the hint and stick the package in the cooler.  She did not have the heart to tell him the delivery person probably thought that someone was going to pick up the cooler.  The delivery person did not place the package in the cooler. 

The on-line effect to retail is significant.  JC Penny is closing more stores. And Sears, a company which began as mail-order company, in a sense so similar to on-line placed orders of Amazon and other major e-retailers, is on its last leg.  Sears was a company that became too entrenched in the brick and mortar store system, lost its original mail-order purpose.  Had Sears retained a more robust business model in keeping with its original mail-order purpose it may well have had a leg up in e-retailing. In its heyday, one could get most anything you desired from Sears, even a prefabricated house.  One cannot use a computer as toilet paper, as the old stories of the use of re purposed Sears Catalog was said to occur in the outhouse.

As children, my siblings and I would look through the large catalogs from Sears and other businesses from which to make our Christmas lists.  I suppose today children do not lie on the family room floor with the television running, while they sort through varied catalogs to find that special item they desire. Rather, they probably use their I-phone while splayed on a sofa, listening to music through their ear buds.  The large thick colored catalogs have gone the way of the can opener and the oil can opener, just to name two household items now almost as past as the dodo bird.  The Smithsonian Institution may well wish to place some of these items in an exhibit, as there are now people reaching adult hood that will wonder what purpose of such items.  Part of me thinks that due to craft beer, the bottle opener (part of the can opener) is making a comeback.  It is like the gas stations of old, where someone would come out pump your gas, check your oil, and look at the car tires. Such stations are few and far between, like S& H Greenstamps. Gas stations with a small repair shop have been replaced by the general store of our day, the convenience store, selling gas and a whole host of other items.  You just cannot get your car repaired at such a location.

There does not seem to be as much niche retailing in big box stores any longer.  Menard's now sells food, and not just snacks, but ribs, and olive oil, and most anything a supermarket may sell.  Kroger's is coming out with a new store that is like a Super Target or the Super Wal-mart, to sell both groceries and department store type goods.  Yet, what my co-workers father experienced is that as large as the stores are, they do not sell common products one would expect.  While he used to buy his razor blades at a store, he now has to have someone go on-line to order them for him.  I certainly understand that older men are probably at the bottom rung of the purchase demographic, as they probably buy little, but they still have items to purchase for their daily lives.  They may also be one of the demographic groups least attuned to the Internet.  

Yet, they have some traits which we younger people may have a hard time replicating.  This same co-workers dad is a widower, and he has a lady friend who is a widow.  Their main past time is ballroom dancing.  One recent weekend they were dancing at a German restaurant in Minneapolis, and after dancing for a while they took a break, and a young couple (which my co-worker thinks "young" in her Dad's mind was probably in the forty year age range) came up to her Dad and his lady friend and inquired if they gave dancing lessons.  It pleased their hearts to hear such a compliment.  but, no they don't give dance lessons.

There can be more to dancing than gyrating your body in odd contortions to what many young people may term as music (noise?).  I find much of it difficult to understand, not to mention to try and converse over the noise.  American culture is a living and breathing series of events.  With the advance of the computer age, it also seems that culture is changing more quickly than in the past.  In 50 year time people may look at and wonder about the purpose of a selfie-stick.  Maybe that will even apply to an I-phone or an I-pad.  It will not even take that long for person to look at a CD and wonder what purpose this shiny wheel looking device had.  Times are a changing, but each generation brings its own skill set. The father of my c-worker does not have the Internet, but perhaps sometime in the future he may find himself adapting to changing shopping patterns and buy his razor blades on-line by himself using Target.com.