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Part 8--December 28, 1933. As the sun broke over the east rim of the valley, Booney Herrmann was loading his sisters' suitcases into the back of his Model A. He would drop them off at Berla's Livery and George would transport them to the depot in East Henderson. Then he would drive his parents and sisters to the depot to catch the 10:00 a.m. train to Minneapolis. Lay's sawmill was already humming. Mayor Ray Molitor and Hank Gabbert were busy cutting firewood. Molitor's saw rig was down for repairs so he was using Lay's machine. Lay and his wife were always sad to see the girls leave; Chicago was long distance from Henderson. With the girl's trip to Europe they knew they wouldn't see them again until late summer. Berla was already at the depot when they arrived and had the suitcases set out on the platform. Inside a number of men were gathered around the stove visiting. It was a daily ritual for those who lived nearby. Very often the depot and Agent Schumacher's teletype was where new information first reached town. Right on time the they heard the northbound train whistle announce the arrival and it screeched to stop, steam venting from around the engine's boiler.

After the goodbyes the sisters settled in for the hour-and-a-half trip to Minneapolis. Minerva reading a book; Loretta just looking at the passing countryside. Presently, somewhere around Jordan, Minerva had dozed off and Loretta took the letter that Dr. Duclos had given her out of her handbag. She could tell by the handwritting that it was in a cursive-style characteristic of Europe. Still the command of English was excellent. It primarily dealt with research that August Heidelburg, the writer, was doing and had apparently described to Duclos in earlier letters. One paragraph, however, caught her attention: "...The political atmosphere here at the University [Vienna] is highly charged. At our faculty meetings tempers often flare, especially among the history and political science professors. I try to stay out of it but my personal views are very opposed to what I am hearing from Hitler and the Third Reich.I'm afraid I'm not always able to conceal my views. I wish I knew where all of this is heading..."

About that time the train pulled into the station in Shakopee and Minerva woke up. The rest trip to Minneapolis and on to Chicago was uneventful. On the morning of December 29th they were back in their Chicago apartment and preparing for the start of school the following week.
Next: New details from National Geographic about
the upcoming European trip. To be continued...

Part 9--March, 1934. The following story appeared in National Geographics magazine:

"Thirty National Geographic Society members will be experiencing a memorable European trip this summer on a tour sponored and lead by the Society. The tour will depart from New York on June 10, on the Swedish-American liner M/S Kungsholm and will arrive in Copenhagen, Denmark, on June 19. The tour includes stops in Berlin, Munich, Vienna, Budapest and Rome. The tour was designed for Society members with a special interest in classical music. In Berlin the group will meet with high-ranking members of the German Reichsmusikkammer, the State Music Bureau. The highlight of the 5-week tour occurs in Vienna, Austria, where they will attend a performance of Richard Strauss' opera, "Die scweigsame Frau," at the famed Vienna Opera House, where the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra will be guest-conducted by Arturo Toscanini. The group is scheduled to meet in a private reception with both Strauss and Toscanini, as well as select members of the opera cast. It is rare for Strauss to agree to meet with groups. The tour has been sold out for months."

--To Be continued...

Part 10-- March 1934. Meanwhile back in Henderson:

John Hepp backed his Model A truck up the back door Dr. Duclos' residence on Main Street. The lettering on the truck read: "John Hepp's Henderson Pop Company." Hepp operated a pop bottling factory for many years and his last production run had been in November of 1933. Too much competition from the big bottlers, he told folks; and John was getting up in years. He still had a small inventory, however, and customers who wanted to buy it. Duclos, who had just returned from his morning walk to the post office, greeted him, "What do you have for me, John? Ginger beer?" "I can give you four cases...it's still my most popular item." Doc chuckled, "You ought to sell the recipe, John. Pepsi might buy it. Or you could just give it to me, how about it?" Hepp lugged the cases to Duclos back door. "Nope," he replied, "no sale." Then as an afterthought, "I think I'll just hide it someplace in clear sight. Someday, after I'm gone, someone will find it. You can probably guess what's in it...except for one secret ingredient. That's what makes it soooooooo good." Doc squared up his account with Hepp and went back to his office.

In the mail he had just picked up was a letter with foreign stamps on it...postmarked Austria...but no return address. He hastily opened it and was surprised to find a very short note from August Heidelburg his professional "pen-friend" from Vienna and the man whom he'd first met some fifteen years ago at the little shack out near Devil's Jump-off on Rush River. Quickly he retrieved his glasses from the jumble of papers on his desk and begin reading:

"My dear doctor friend in Henderson, USA: I have not had time to write to you recently. Events are moving all too swiftly here in Austria. Politics uber- alles, and I am not very adept at politics. Some of the authorities here at the University where I teach who have close ties to the Nazi Party have brought charges against me--claiming I have made statements...treasonous statements..against the government. While I do not agree with everything going on, I am loyal to my country...to Austria. Be that as it may, there is a real possibility I will lose my teaching and research position here at the University. Anyway, I did not write to burden you with my problems but simply to say that I have treasured the long-distance friendship we have had over these past years. Whatever is happening now in Europe I am hopeful that the American government will follow matters closely, and perhaps be a moderating influence if things do get out of hand, as I fear they might. I will try to keep in touch with you in the future. So, my good friend, Dr. Duclos, my best wishes to you."
[signed] Dr. August Heidelburg

Duclos settled back in his chair and stroked is goatee as he often did when something was troubling him. Perhaps, he thought, I should write to the Herrmann sisters about this latest turn of events. He reached for an envelope in his desk drawer and began to write.
--To be continued.

Don, Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your story!! I also took time to read your book "Growing up in Henderson" It brought back many memories of Henderson that I have. Some that were in the book and others that were not!
Thanks for the memories, and waiting for more of this story!
Lisa

Part 11: May 1, 1934. The Herrmann sisters received the following letter from the National Geographic Society, signed by the Editor-in-Chief Gilbert Grosvenor:

"As a member of the National Geographic Society tour that will depart for Europe on June 15, you are cordially invited to a reception and dinner at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, June 12, 6:00 p.m. at the Society headquarters in Washington, D.C. You will have the opportunity to meet the thirty individuals who will be making the trip. At the meeting we will be briefed by Honorable William Edward Dodd, U.S. Ambassador to Germany; and by Stanley Donald, President of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra Company. The Honorable Mr. Dodd will speak to the group on current affairs in Germany. Mr. Donald will speak on the Strauss opera performance we will attend in Vienna, Austria. On the following day, Sunday, the group will depart by train for New York City. On Monday, June 14, we will board the M/S Kungsholm, preparing for departure the following day. We look forward to your being with us...Cordially, [signed] G. Grosvenor"

Loretta handed the letter to her sister saying, "Well, Minerva, seems we're traveling in high company. It's a long way from Henderson, isn't it?"
Next: About the M/S Kungsholm

"Growing up in Henderson" as the adopted son I should read that.

I loved watching those shows about Henderson on TV when I was growing up.

Remember the time litte Willie Olson got into the fight with Tony Nagel, or the one when Shawn Schroeder and Nellie Olson opened up that restaurant next to the shop. Man that was great.

How about the time Laura Ingalls and Jeff Steinborn, snuck behind the barn and.............

Part 12: May, 1934.
The Herrmann sisters, Loretta and Minerva, are preparing to depart on a trip to Europe. They will travel from New York City on the S/S Kungsholm, a ship owned by the Swedish-American Lines. For the benefit of our readers who desire to know more about the Kungsholm read on...

This famous liner was built in 1928 in the Blohm & Voss Shipyard in Hamburg, Germany. Her gross registered tonnage was 21,256 and her passenger capacity 1,544. The Kungsholm inaugurated cruises on January 19, 1929. The interior of the liner was designed by the Swedish architect, Carl Bergsten, and was a combination of Art Deco and modern functional. The captain of the Kungholm was Carl-Otto Claesson.

Next: Some surprises at the party before the departure.

Part 13: June 13, 1934--Washington, D.C. Loretta and Minerva Herrmann had left Chicago two days earlier and traveled by train to the nation's capital. After checking into their hotel they taxied to the offices of the National Geographic Society where they would attend a gathering of some thirty people taking the Society-led tour to Europe. Upon arriving...

The sisters were greeted by Charles Herfandahl, the Society guide who will lead the tour. In a large conference room the assembled group met Gilbert Grosvenor, Editor of the National Geographic magazine. After preliminary remarks, Grosvenor asked each person to briefly introduce themselves: where they're from, and the reason they had decided to sign up for this particular tour. Most of the group was from the East Coast; there are business people, educators, a few professional musicians, both men and women. Aside from the Herrmann sisters--who still regarded themselves as Minnesotans--there were two other Minnesotans: Ann Berkshire, the director of the McPhail Institute of Music in Minneapolis; and William Ayers, a retired dectective from the Minneapolis Police Department.

Following the introductions, Grosvenor introduced the two guest speakers. Mr. Dodd, U.S. Ambassador to Germany, speaking off the record, said there was great concern throughout the capitals of Europe about the intentions of Adolph Hitler. "Many are concerned that he will move to assume dictatorial powers in Germany. Already he is building up the military, both ground and air forces. Germany's neighbors are growing increasingly nervous. You are traveling to Europe at a tense time in history." Donald Stanley's remarks were much more uplifting: "What an experience you are in for! To meet both Richard Strauss and Arturo Toscanini, two of the giant figures in music of the 20th Century. Your evening at the Vienna Opera House will be absolutely unforgettable."

Folowing the guests' speeched the group had a chance to mingle and visit. The Minnesotans naturally sought out each other. William Ayers, the Minnepolis detective, approached the sisters:
"You said you are from Henderson...I have some relatives living there...perhaps you know my uncle, Ben Ayers...and my cousin, Irma." Indeed, the sisters said, they knew both Ben and Irma very well. "Police work must run in the family," Loretta said. "Ben was the constable in Henderson...and wasn't he Sibley County Sheriff, too?" Ayer replied that his uncle had indeed been both constable and sheriff." Ann Berkshire shared with the trio her excitement over the upcoming Vienna performance. She had studied at Juliard in New York and had seen Toscanini direct the New York Philharmonic on several occasions.

At a dinner that followed waiters poured champagne. Prohibition had just been repealed the year before [1933] and Minerva remarked to those around her that she wasn't very experienced at drinking, to which Loretta chimed in, "Unless you count the 'moonshine' from that still out in Jessenland...who were those Irish brothers?" Blushing just ever so slightly, Minerva told Loretta she must have been suffering from a poor memory. "The Irish never had an stills in Jessenland-they were in Tyrone."

The evening ended early. The following morning they would board the train for New York.

Next: On board the S/S Kungsholm

There was no moonshine ever made or consumed in Jessenland.

Don't they still serve it at the Brass Top? Mystery Shot #2?