KinSource - Tale of the Week - Evictions Have Begun

KinSource

Minnesota Tales

The St. Paul Globe, May 6, 1898, p. 7

EVICTIONS HAVE BEGUN

DWELLERS ON THE FLATS MUST MOVE

Minneapolis Park Board at Last Makes the Squatters Understand That the Order Is Not a Bluff -- They Will Be Given One More Chance Today to Agree to Peaceably Vacate -- Minneapolis News.

The wholesale eviction of the people living on the flats just below the Washington avenue bridge, in Minneapolis, did not take place this afternoon. There was a beginning made, and if there is not some action on the part of the flat dwellers by this morning the whole colony will be under the necessity of hunting new quarters.

These flats were pre-empted for residence purposes several years ago. The first squatter looked upon the place as "nobody's land." The colony grew, and today there are thirty or more residences scattered in irregular order along the bank of the river.

Such was the condition of this Minneapolis Acadia when the park board first took cognizance of it. It was found, or rather remembered, that the people who occupied these houses paid no ground rent, were bound by no lease and paid no taxes. Moreover they enjoyed all the priveleges of free schools, police and fire protection and suffrage. About a year and a half ago the matter was taken into the courts by the park board, and in actions for ejection judgements were entered against the whole village. They pleaded for a reasonable time in which to vacate, and were given to last fall. They did not move, but chose rather to believe that the park board was "bluffing" and did not intend to put them off the land. The time was extended till this spring, and still no effort was made by the villagers to secure homes elsewhere. About two weeks ago the matter was given into the hands of Sheriff Phillips, who at once served notice on all the householders of the flats to vacate or be thrown out. They did not heed the warning. The park board then instructed the sheriff to propose a compromise to the effect that if they would sign an agreement to vacate the houses by Oct. 15 next and would display a notice on their houses reading, "The land occupied by this house is park property and is to be vacated on or before Oct. 15, 1898," they might remain till that time. None of the squatters signed. Yesterday was fixed as the limit for signing, and at 2 o'clock Sheriff Phillips, with Deputies Christie, Stallbird and Brandon began the work of eviction at the first house on the flats, owned by Christian Snosrud and occupied by him and his wife, his son-in-law John Sovde, his wife and infant child. The men were not at home and the furniture was quickly placed in the front yard, carpets, stoves and everything else. The next house was occupied by Mrs. Carrie Baker, an aged widow, and her granddaughter. Her furniture was also piled out in her front yard. The work was allowed to rest there till this morning to allow the people to decide whether or not they will sign the agreement mentioned above. If they still refuse to sign a force of deputies will complete the work of eviction today and will nail up all the houses.