Baseball Memories

Written by Elaine Rybak Clyborne Barber, Sept 23, 2018 for the opening of “Play Ball: Sports in Scott County” 

New Prague, 1914. Photo from the SCHS Collections.

My childhood was filled with the connection of my family members and the athletic traditions of my home town, New Prague. This is the reason for my writing out my memories for this special event at the Scott County Historical Society and the program on small town baseball. But first, a short history of how my  family came to Scott County. My family had arrived in Minnesota from the Austrian Hungarian Empire, a part now known as the Czech Republic, to Scott County in 1865. They were looking to escape the military duties of their homeland, and they were seeking opportunities to seek their fortune and a better life for their families. They settled in Nova Praha, New Prague after the journey from the small villages southwest of Vesili, which is south of Praha in Bohemia.

My family came to New Prague not as farmers, but as trade workers and merchants to supply the needs of the growing farming community surrounding the town. The first man of the Rybak family was a blacksmith, but the next generation of men started stores and saloons in the town. By the early 1900s my grandfather opened a brewery in New Prague named the OK brewery. This company closed during the Prohibition years, and they went into making their own flavors of soda pop under the name of Rybak’s bottling Works, which also distributed Schmidt Beer after the Prohibition years ended.

My father and his two brothers were educated in the New Prague schools and were active in various town activities. It was my father, Mathew Albert Rybak known as Mike who was very interested in athletic events. He belonged to the Sokol club (gymnastic society) and played football, but his passion was for baseball. He was featured in the recent 2018 Minnesota State Amateur Baseball publication which was printed for the tournament when New Prague, Jordan and Shakopee hosted the tournament games.

There are photographs of him at bat as a young man and another one of my mother, Clara Rybak, and I standing in front of the score board dedicated to him at a field named for him after his death in 1953. His statistic were also printed in that publication, but there were many years when he was still playing that did not make the book. I am so delighted that I have the 1921-1922 score book records of the town games against Jordan, Chaska and other small towns- many of them in Le Seuer.

One of the things that I am most proud of in my life was his dedication to organizing the town team when WW2 ended. He supported that town team as a player, a manager, and in a financial way. It was during those years when I followed the games that I began keeping score myself, which I still do to this day when I watch the Twins playing. When he died, the headlines on the New Prague Times read “Mr Baseball Dies. Mick’s Bat is Silent”.

Over time repairs were needed at the Mike Rybak Memorial Park near the golf course in New Prague. The score board was replaced with an electronic one and the name was changed to the Memorial Park, honoring all the people including the vets who played on that field.

In preparation for the state tournament many things were upgraded and improved! But my memories of the importance of sharing time with my mother and father at that field are rich and precious in my memory bank. those were the good old days of my childhood.

Prohibition is on its way!

If you haven’t seen our Play Ball exhibit, I encourage you to come in and take a look around. While we are proud of the Play Ball exhibit, our staff never rests and we are starting to plan our next large exhibition. In 1919, the 18th Amendment, or Prohibition, was signed into law across the country. In honor of this anniversary, our next exhibit will be on this thirteen year period of our history. As a county with some many breweries, this history is important to telling Scott County’s story. Beyond the booze which always comes up with Prohibition, gambling was outlawed too and led to Shakopee’s nickname of Little Chicago for its gambling parlors. This should be a blast to create, or at least I hope so.

Unfortunately, our collection is lacking in items from Prohibition and the time around it. This is where you can help. We are look for artifacts and items from the time of Prohibition to possibly go into our upcoming exhibit. We are interesting in looking at anything you might have from that time, and might be interested in taking it on loan for the exhibit. If you or someone you know has something you think might fit, please contact us. We want to put together the best exhibits that we can, and you can help us ensure that we do.

Thoreau’s Journey along the Minnesota River

In the spring of 1861, Henry David Thoreau embarked on a trip to visit Minnesota. At the time he was suffering from advanced tuberculosis which he had contracted in 1835. His doctor recommended a change of climate, and the fresh air of the American West to help clear Thoreau’s lungs.

It was upon this recommendation headed west for an expected 3 month journey. He brought along 17 year old Horace Mann Jr, a young botanist, as his companion. The two traveled through Niagara Falls, Detroit and Chicago before traveling by boat to St. Paul.

Thoreau was not impressed with St. Paul, commenting in a letter “At St. Paul, they dig their building stone out of the cellar; but it is apparently poor stuff”, but he was fascinated by Lake Harriet.  Thoreau, Mann, and local geologist Dr. Charles Anderson spent a great deal of time on the lake’s shores, examining the water, woods and marshes of the area.  They also cataloged sightings catbird, goldfinch, oriole, tanager, horned lark, flicker and killdeer.

The nature and air were not the only draw that Minnesota held for Thoreau. In the mid to late 1800s, some European Americans in the United States experienced what can be described as a cultural morning for the American West. Today we associate that time period with popular tales of cowboys on the frontier, but at the time it seemed to prominent European American thinkers like opportunities for “exploration” were dwindling. With this came a desire to preserve the stories and culture of American Indians, ironic considering the  concurrent American government policy towards First Nations. With this in mind, Thoreau planned to follow the Minnesota River into the interior of the state and visit the Dakota Nation for himself.

On June 25th, 1861 Thoreau wrote the following letter describing his journey by steamboat along the Minnesota River:

Dear Sir,
After spending some three weeks in and about St. Paul, St. Anthony, and Minneapolis, we made an excursion in a steamer some 300 or more miles up the Minnesota River, to Redwood, or the Lower Sioux Agency, in order to see the plains and the Sioux, who were to receive their annual payment there. This is eminently the river of Minnesota, for she shares the Mississippi with Wisconsin, and it is of incalculable value to her. It flows through a very fertile country, destined to be famous for its wheat; but it is a remarkably winding stream, so the Redwood is only half as far from its mouth by land as by water. There was not a straight reach a mile in length as far as we went, generally you could not see a quarter of a mile of water, and the boat was steadily turning this way or that. At the greater bends, as the Traverse des Sioux, some of the passengers were landed and walked across to be taken in on the other side. Two or three times you could have thrown a stone across the neck of the isthmus while it was from one to three miles around it. It was a very novel kind of navigation to me.

The boat was perhaps the largest that had been up so high, and the water was rather low (it had been about 15 feet higher). In making a short turn, we repeatedly and designedly ran square into the steep and soft bank, taking in a cart-load of earth, this being more effectual than the rudder to fetch us about again; or the deeper water was so narrow and close to the shore, the we were obliged to run and break down at least 50 trees which overhung the water, when we did not cut them off, repeatedly losing part of our outworks, though the most exposed had been taken in. I could pluck almost any plant on the bank from the boat. We very frequently got aground and then drew ourselves along with a windlass and a cable fastened to a tree, or we swung round in the current, and completely blocked up and blockaded the river, one end of the boat resting on each shore. And yet we would haul ourselves round again with the windlass and cable in an hour or 2, though the boat was about 160 feet long and drew some 3 feet of water, or, often, water and sand. It was one consolation to know that in such a case we were all the while damming the river and so raising it.

We once ran fairly on to a concealed rock, with a shock that aroused all the passengers, and rested there, and the mate went below with a lamp expecting to find a hole, but he did not. Snags and sawyers were so common that I forgot to mention them. The sound of the boat rumbling was the ordinary music. However, as long as the boiler did not burst, we knew that no serious accident was likely to happen. Yet this was a singularly navigable river, more so than the Mississippi above the Falls, and it is owing to its very crookedness. Ditch it straight, and it would not only be very swift, but soon run out.

It was from 10-15 rods wide near the mouth and from 8 to 10 or 12 at Redwood. Through the current was swift, I did not see a ‘rip’ on it, and only 3 or 4 rocks. For 3 months in the year I am told that it can be navigated by small steamers about twice as far as we went, or to its source in Big Stone Lake, and a former Indian agent told me that at high water it was thought that such a steamer might pass into the Red River.

In short this river proved so very long and navigable, that I was reminded of the last letter or two in the Voyages of Baron la Hontan (written near the end of the 17th century, I think) in which he states that after reaching the Mississippi (by the Illinois or Wisconsin), the limit of previous exploration westward, he voyaged up it with his Indians, and at length turned up a great river coming in from the west which he called ‘la Riviere Longue’ and he relates various improbable things about the country and its inhabitants, so that this letter has been regarded as pure fiction – or more properly speaking a lie. But I am somewhat inclined now to reconsider the matter.

The Governor of Minnesota (Ramsey), the superintendent of the Ind. Affairs in this quarter, and the newly appointed Indian agent were on board; also a German band from St. Paul, a small cannon for salutes, and the money for the Indians. There were about 100 passengers chiefly from St. Paul, and more or less recently from the N. Eastern states; also half a dozen young educated Englishmen . . .

The last of the little settlements on the river, was New Ulm, about 100 miles this side of Redwood. It consists wholly of Germans. We left them 100 barrels of salt, which will be worth something more when the water is lowest, than at present. Redwood is a mere locality, scarcely an Indian village – where there is a store and some houses have been built for them. We were now fairly on the great plains, and looking south, and after walking that way 3 miles, could see no tree in that horizon. The buffalo was said to be feeding within 25 or 30 miles.

A regular council was held with the Indians, who had come in on their ponies; and speeches were made on both sides thro’ an interpreter, quite in the described mode; the Indians, as usual, having the advantage in point of truth and earnestness, and therefore of eloquence. The most prominent chief was named Little Crow. They were quite dissatisfied with the white man’s treatment of them and probably have reason to be so. This council was to be continued for 2 or 3 days – the payment to be made the 2nd day – and another payment to the other bands a little higher up the Yellow Medicine (a tributary of the Minnesota) a few days thereafter.

Yours Truly, Henry David Thoreau

Sadly, the trip did not have it’s desired restorative outcome. Thoreau passed away less than a year later, on May 6th, 1862. He did not live to see the outbreak of the US-Dakota war that the sympathies expressed in his letter hinted at to modern readers. His writings do provide an invaluable first-hand account of the difficulties of travel along the Minnesota River during the era of steamboats, and the complex relationship between European American and Dakota culture leading up to the  US-Dakota War.

Written by Rose James, SCHS Program Manager

Half the World at Rest

May 9th was the 74th anniversary of V-E Day, the end of hostilities on the European front of World War II. V-E Day recognizes the surrender of Nazi Forces to the Allied Forces, and despite the name, fighting stopped in several places around the world. World War II is unique in that it has two different victory days. While we often think of World War II in the context of Europe and the Pacific, it was also fought across Africa in many European colonies. So while we call it V-E Day, we should recognize that nearly half of the world saw the end of the war. Here at home in Scott County, like many places around the world, the Nazi surrender was the main headline. Men from Scott County were still stationed abroad, but this day signified a closing of a major chapter in the county. Its sons would be coming home, at least from Europe.

The front page of the New Prague Times echoes an important thought that was in the minds of many “How long before Japan surrenders?” When the Nazi’s surrendered, their allies in Japan continued to fight on and there was no sign that the fighting in the Pacific would end soon. V-J Day didn’t come until August, but the newspapers of the county show the relief that people felt to see at least half of the world at rest.

Jordan’s newspaper followed suit, acknowledging the victory in Europe and turning its gaze to Japan. It is a strange thing to consider that the war is over and yet still in full swing. America didn’t join the war until the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and it one could argue that Japanese victory was more important in many people’s eyes. While the victory overseas can in May, many in America were saving their cheers for V-J Day. As the Jordan paper said, “But War is Less Than Half Over.” a good indication that people in Scott County, the war was mostly with Japan.

Bike Season!

It’s the time of year when Minnesotans emerge from their winter hibernation and everyone wants to be outdoors! Scott County boasts an excellent biking trail system, and opportunities abound to ditch your four wheeled vehicle and head out on two wheels. Biking has long been a popular form of transportation for Scott County residents. Check out some bicycle gems from the SCHS collections below, and learn a bit more about Scott County’s cycling history in this blog post. 

Children on bicycles join a parade at Holmes Avenue and Third Street in Shakopee. 1945. Photo from the SCHS Collections.

Studio portrait of three cyclists. Handwritten on the back is “Uncle Walter Adams. He rode this bicycle from Sioux City, Iowa to Shakopee and back to Sioux City Iowa” Walter Adams is the man on the left. 1885. Photo from the SCHS Collections

Studio portrait of Fritz Kahle of Belle Plaine with a bicycle. 1890. Photo from the SCHS Collections

Performer at Valley Fair, 1978. Photo from the SCHS Collections.

Steve Lebens of Shakopee, 1965. Photo from the SCHS Collections

Enjoy the summer sun and join us for our annual series of Pedaling the Past history bike tours! Each tour focuses on the unique environmental history of a Scott County community. Tours span between 2 and 5 miles and last approximately 2 hours with frequent stops for discussion and to look at photographs!

Participants must bring their own bikes and all participants MUST wear helmets (no exceptions!). This tour is open to participants ages 10 and up; participants under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

$5.00, SCHS members FREE

Registration Links:
New Prague Tour, Sat. June 8th, 10am-12pm: https://bit.ly/2V8e5Ro
Jordan Tour: Sat, July 13th, 10am-12pm: https://bit.ly/2ZT1GPV
Prior Lake Tour: Sat, Aug 10th, 10am-12pm: https://bit.ly/2VHEJjE
Shakopee Tour: Sat, Sept 14th, 10am-12pm: https://bit.ly/2Vc9Wf6