Washington County Historical Society

In 1916, Company K of the Stillwater National Guard was dispatched to the Mexican Border to defend against attacks from the famous Mexican rebel, Poncho Villa.

Through letters and photographs from the WCHS collection, "Company K in the Border War" details the in-glamorous reality these Stillwater men faced while stationed in Texas.

A century and a half ago, the first of about one hundred hearty pioneers started from the shores of Northern Europe and found good land on the western shores of Big Marine Lake in northern Washington County, Minnesota. By the end of the 19th century, these pioneers had converted acres of woodland into prosperous farms. Mostly they came from Sweden, but also included Germans, Norweigans and New Englanders in their ranks. This soft-cover book describe their experiences and document the history of their families.

In addition to these narratives, the appendicies include historical maps, census data, and land records.

Originally published in 1915, "Thru the Mill" was written by inmate number "4342", George Bartlett, who served ten months in the old Stillwater Prison.
This book is his account of life behind the stone walls of Minnesota's most infamous prison.