By Tucker Henderson

Reporter

The New York Mills Public Library will be the host of three presentations by Minnesota authors in the month of November. Each program is free and open to the public.

Greg Gaut, author of The War at Home: Minnesota During the Great War, 1914-1920, will be highlighting the history of Minnesotan life during a time of bitter polarization in the years during World War I. He will present his book and historical insights at the Library on Friday, Nov. 14 at 6:30 p.m.

Gaut’s book discusses the lives of Minnesotans during World War I and highlights some of the problems back home that aren’t always detailed as a part of the war’s history. With problems of polarization within the nation stemming from Jim Crow laws, suffrage campaigns and temperance and prohibition crusades, the United States, and specifically Minnesota, was still a busy place while fighting a war overseas.

Janet Preus, author of The Thirteen Crime: The Ghosts of Injustice in Frontier Otter Tail County, will be speaking about her research into the murder of Lillie Field on May 26, 1887 and the creative approach to fill in the blanks. She is a former reporter for radio and newspaper mediums in Otter Tail County. The New York Mills Friends of the Library organization is sponsoring this program. She will present her book and creative insights on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m.

Preus’ book lays out the grisly details of a shocking murder that took place over 130 years ago in St. Olaf Township of Otter Tail County. When a young girl left home one May morning, her parents would have never dreamed that she would be murdered, mutilated and thrown into a hog pasture. Will her killer be indicted or will the mystery go unsolved?

Ben Schierer, author of Perpich: A Minnesota Original, details the life and legacy of the longest serving governor of Minnesota, Rudy Perpich. Schierer is a former mayor of Fergus Falls and found an interest in Perpich’s political legacy after entering the political realm himself. He will present his book and history on Minnesota politics on Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 6:30 p.m.

Schierer’s book discusses the long and storied legacy of civil servant, Rudy Perpich, the longest serving governor of Minnesota. It details the bridges built between rural and urban life, interests between business and labor, and a wide-scope of local and national politics. From his early days on the local school board to his time in the state capitol, Perpich’s story is opened for all to see in this biography.

Each of these programs are free and open to all, the Library asks that anyone interested call them at 385-2436 to pre-register. Each author will have books available for sale before and after their presentations. The NY Mills Public Library and Viking Library System will be sponsoring Greg Gaut and Ben Schierer, partly funded with monies from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage fund.